Publikationsdatenbank

Effects of oral supplementation of potassium chloride in hypokalemic dairy cows by use of a bolus formulation on metabolism, abomasal position and vaginal discharge characteristics (2019)

Art

Hochschulschrift

Autor

Wilhelm-Olany, Amiya Ricarda (WE 18)

Quelle

Berlin, 2019 — XIV, 113 Seiten

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): https://refubium.fu-berlin.de/handle/fub188/26287

Kontakt

Nutztierklinik

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14163 Berlin
+49 30 838 62261
klauentierklinik@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

Dairy cows that revealed moderate hypokalemia (plasma potassium levels between ≥ 2.8 and < 3.5 mmol/l) when admitted to the animal hospital were by chance assigned either to a treatment group (Group 1a: 19 cows) or to a control group (Group 1b: 17 cows), while all animals with severe hypokalemia (plasma potassium levels < 2.8 mmol/l; Group 2: 11 cows) were treated with potassium for ethical reasons, as they showed severe derailment of potassium homeostasis indicative for a severely impaired general condition. The study animals had been referred to the Ruminant and Swine Clinic, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin for various diseases including abomasal displacement to the left (LDA), ketosis, metritis and mastitis occurring as single entities or in combination. Cows enrolled in the treatment groups (1a and 2) were orally administered potassium in a bolus formulation by use of a balling gun while animals allotted to Group 1b remained untreated and served as controls. The bolus formulation contained approximately 85-91 g potassium chloride and 15-16 g magnesium oxide. Blood samples were obtained for blood gas analysis and the determination of plasma levels of potassium, sodium, glucose, ionized calcium before and at 1, 2, 3, 12, 36, 60 and 84 hours following bolus or sham administration (Group 1b controls), respectively. ß-hydroxybutyrate, aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), albumin, bilirubin, total calcium, total magnesium, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were determined at admission and at dismissal (84 hours). A clinical examination following a standard examination protocol was performed each morning by the same person during the observational period of five calendar days and at dismissal. Ultrasonography was performed in regular intervals of up to 12 hours following admittance. In animals that were referred to the clinic for suspected LDA, ultrasonographic assessment was performed in order to find out whether treatment with potassium would lead to enhanced motility and emptying of gas from the abomasum and to this end would contribute to relocation of the organ into its normal anatomical position, however, pneumoperitoneum following surgical correction of LDA, or abdominal fat in some cases, hindered further evaluation of ultrasonographic data in the majority of cows. Daily milk yield and feed intake were recorded. We developed a technique for suction assisted muscle biopsy by modifying the original procedure described by BERGSTRÖM and HULTMAN (1997). Diagnostic muscle biopsies were obtained to evaluate total body potassium status from nine animals and third party controls. Oral administration of potassium using a bolus formulation proved to be safe and easy. In cows with moderate hypokalemia (Group 1a) bolus administration resulted in reconstitution of mean and medium plasma potassium levels to normal (reference range 3.5-5.0 mmol/l) within one hour following administration, whereas the same was true for untreated controls (Group 1b) at 36 hours after admission. In the group of severely hypokalemic cows (Group 2), where all animals received a treatment for ethical reasons, the mean potassium level passed the lower border of the reference range after 36 hours. Bolus administration in cows with moderate hypokalemia (Group 1a) did not result in significant differences compared to sham treated controls (Group 1b) with respect to plasma levels of NEFA, ß-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, sodium, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, albumin, bilirubin, calcium, magnesium, AST and AP at day five following administration of the bolus. The variables rather reflected the stabilization of the metabolism within the recovery period for animals from all groups. Due to the importance of potassium for body functions and vital processes animals at risk such as anorectic high-yielding dairy cows should be treated with potassium as soon as possible in order to prevent unwanted side effects of hypokalemia such as muscle weakness or even recumbency as described in scientific literature. Due to its alkalinizing effect, which could especially be of use in severely hypokalemic cows with acidosis, the development of a bolus containing potassium carbonate should be considered.