title: An observational study using blood gas analysis to assess neonatal calf diarrhea and subsequent recovery with a European Commission-compliant oral electrolyte solution.
abstract: An observational study was conducted on dairy calves (51 healthy, 31 with neonatal diarrhea) during outbreaks of diarrhea on 4 dairy farms. Clinical assessment scores (CAS) were assigned to each healthy and diarrheic calf [from 0 (healthy) to 4 (marked illness)]. Blood gas analysis [pH, base excess (BE), Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Cl(-), glucose, total hemoglobin, standard HCO3(-), strong ion difference (SID), and anion gap (AG)] was completed for each calf. Repeated measurements were taken in healthy animals, and pre- and postintervention measurements were taken for diarrheic calves. The mean CAS of diarrheic calves was 1.7, with 51, 30, 17, and 2% of calves scoring 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The mean value for blood pH, BE, AG, and SID was 7.26, -4.93mM, 16.3mM, and 38.59mM, respectively. Calves were administered an oral rehydration and buffering solution (ORBS; Vitalife for Calves, Epsilion Ltd., Cork, Ireland) and reassessed. The mean CAS decreased to 0.38 (65% of calves scored 0 and 35% scored 1) at 6 to 18h posttreatment and to 0.03 (98% of calves scored 0 and 2% scored 1) within 24 to 48h. Significant increases in mean value for pH, BE, HCO3(-), Na(+), and SID, and significant decreases in AG, K(+), Ca(2+), and total hemoglobin were recorded posttreatment. The correlation estimates indicated that pH, HCO3(-), and BE were strongly correlated with CAS, with values exceeding 0.60 in all cases. Administration of an ORBS with a high SID and bicarbonate buffer demonstrated rapid recovery from a diarrheic episode in dairy calves.
authors.affiliation: Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland. Electronic address: Riona.Sayers@teagasc.ie.
authors.forename: Ríona G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Sayers
authors.affiliation: Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Aideen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.affiliation: Epsilion Ltd., Little Island, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Lea
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Krump
authors.affiliation: Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Institute of Technology Tralee, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland.
authors.forename: Gearóid P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Sayers
authors.affiliation: Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Emer
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000628:therapy* / Q000662:veterinary*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes
keywords: acidosis; blood gas analysis; electrolyte; neonatal calf diarrhea