THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN IONIZED CALCIUM IN BLOOD AND SELECTED PARAMETERS IN DAIRY-COWS WITH LEFT DISPLACED ABOMASUM

The objective of this study was to examine the association between blo od calcium (Ca) and left displaced abomasum (LDA), and between Ca and selected anamnestic, blood and urine parameters in cows diagnosed with LDA. One hundred and forty-four cows diagnosed with LDA and 20 contro ls were used. The association between Ca and LDA was evaluated using l inear regression. Possible associations between anamnestic, blood and urine parameters and blood calcium were assessed using a forward stepw ise procedure in linear regression. Ca was not significantly associate d with LDA. In control cows, Ca was explained by urea alone (R-2 = 0.6 ); this was a negative association. In cows diagnosed with LDA, the fi nal model of Ca included base excess (partial R-2 = 0.31), urea (parti al R-2 = O.11), phosphorus (partial R-2 = 0.03) and potassium (partial R-2 = 0.03). A negative linear association was found between base exc ess and Ca. A quadratic association was found between urea and Ca. We conclude that Ca is significantly associated with urea in dairy cows. Ca is not significantly associated with displaced abomasum in cows dia gnosed with LDA. Blood base excess and urea explain Ca in cows diagnos ed with LDA.