Hypokalaemia as a cause of recumbency in an adult dairy cow.
A 3-year-old Holstein cow was presented for evaluation of recumbency. Physical examination and laboratory evaluations resulted in a diagnosis of hypokalaemia causing extreme skeletal muscle weakness. Treatment involved intravenous and oral potassium supplementation, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapy, and management of recumbency using a flotation tank (the Aquacow Rise System). The cow recovered and returned to the milking herd. Multifactorial elements were identified as the cause of hypokalaemia including inappetance, treatments for ketosis and administration of dexamethasone.
Johns
I C
IC
Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA.
Whitlock
R H
RH
Sweeney
R W
RW
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D011188:Potassium / Q000008:administration & dosage
D011188:Potassium