ALTERATIONS IN ACID-BASE-BALANCE AND SERUM ELECTROLYTE CONCENTRATIONSIN CATTLE - 632 CASES (1984-1994)

Objective-To determine typical alterations in acid-base balance and se rum electrolyte concentrations in cattle grouped on the basis of age, breed type, hydration status, clinical signs, and underlying disease. Design-Retrospective study. Animals-632 cattle. Procedure-Information on blood pH, PVO2, PvCO(2), HCO3- concentration, and base excess (BE) as well as serum or plasma sodium, potassium, chloride, and total carb on dioxide concentrations was obtained. Values for calves (ie, cattle < 1 month old) were compared with values for cattle greater than or eq ual to 1 month old. Within each age-group, values were compared for ca ttle grouped on the basis of breed type, previous treatment, and hydra tion status. Proportions of cattle with various disorders for which va lues were within, greater than, or less than reference ranges were det ermined. Results-BE, pH, and HCO3- concentration were significantly hi gher and PvCO(2) and sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations we re significantly lower among cattle greater than or equal to 1 month o ld than calves. Base excess and HCO3- concentration were significantly lower among dairy than beef carves. Sodium and potassium concentratio ns were significantly lower among dairy than beef cattle greater than or equal to 1 month old. A higher proportion of cattle that did not su rvive had a high anion gap than cattle that did survive. Sodium, potas sium, and chloride concentrations were significantly lower among dehyd rated cattle than cattle that were not dehydrated. Clinical Implicatio ns-Because certain alterations were consistently found in some groups of cattle, it may be possible to make reasonable predictions of altera tions in acid-base balance and serum electrolyte concentrations when l aboratory evaluations are not available.