title: Development of a diagnostic diagram for rapid field assessment of acidosis severity in diarrheic calves.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a diagnostic diagram for rapid field assessment of acidosis severity in diarrheic calves.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  148 Piedmontese calves (38 calves in preliminary experiments; 83 diarrheic calves and 27 healthy control calves in the primary experiment).
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical examination was performed and a standard data collection form was completed for each calf. Blood samples were obtained and submitted for evaluation of acid-base balance, performance of a CBC, and measurement of electrolyte and total protein concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Severe metabolic acidosis (extracellular base excess more negative than -10 mmol/L) was associated with abnormal mental status, delayed or absent suckle reflex, abnormal posture or gait, enophthalmos, and cold oral mucosal membranes. Clinical signs associated with severe metabolic acidosis were arranged into a grid to create a diagnostic diagram. Sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic diagram for the prediction of severe metabolic acidosis were 88% and 79%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of the diagnostic diagram may aid differentiation between severe and nonsevere acidosis patterns as determined on the basis of clinical signs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Pathology, Clinical Section, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco TO, Italy. claudio.bellino@unito.it
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bellino
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arnaudo
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Biolatti
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borrelli
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gianella
authors.forename: Cristiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maurella
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zabaldano
authors.forename: Aurelio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cagnasso
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
mesh_terms: D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium; D000138:Acidosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000662:veterinary*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes