METABOLIC-ACIDOSIS IN DIARRHEIC NEONATAL CALVES - TREATMENT USING ISOSMOLAR SODIUM-BICARBONATE SOLUTION

The objective of this study was to investigate the cure rate of diarrh eic neonatal calves after drip infusion with isosmolar sodium bicarbon ate solution. These calves were also offered whole milk and had free a ccess to fresh water. 43 of such calves were retrospectively examined. To correct base losses they were administered with one (63%), two (21 %) or more than two (16%) drip infusions of 1.3 percent sodium bicarbo nate solution. 37 (84%) of these calves were cured, seven (16%) died. Of calves diagnosed with acidosis of low degree (base loss 5-9.9 mmol/ l), medium degree (10-19.9 mmol/l) and high degree (20-30 mmol/l) no s tatistically significant differences were found in the number of drip infusions (95% CI 27-57), in the period to recover normal fecal consis tency (95%) CI 3-4.9 days), and in the cure rate (95% CI 72-95%) (p < 0.05). Three of the seven calves that died were referred to our clinic in agony; the other four revealed necrotic enteritis with E. coli and final sepsis upon post mortem examination. Breed, gender, age, body w eight, duration of illness, pretreatment, fecal consistency, suckling reflex, standing ability and base excess did not significantly affect the odds of dying (p < 0.1). However, low body temperature increased t he odds of dying. The administration of 1.3 percent sodium bicarbonate solution is considered useful to help diarrheic neonatal calves regai n suckling reflex and standing ability. In conjunction with milk feedi ng and free access to fresh water this treatment might yield a high cu re rate in diarrheic and acidotic neonatal calves.