Effects of the Oral Administration of K2Cr2O7 and Na2SeO3 on Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn Contents in the Heart, Liver, Spleen, and Kidney of Chickens.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of selenium on the ion profiles in the heart, liver, spleen, and kidney through the oral administration of hexavalent chromium. Approximately 22.14 mg/kg b.w. K2Cr2O7 was added to water to establish a chronic poisoning model. Different selenium levels (0.00, 0.31, 0.63, 1.25, 2.50, and 5.00 mg Na2SeO3/kg b.w.) around the safe dose were administered to the experimental group model. Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn were detected in the organs through flame atomic absorption spectrometry after these organs were exposed to K2Cr2O7 and Na2SeO3 for 14, 28, and 42 days. Results showed that these elements exhibited various changes. Ca contents declined in the heart, liver, and spleen. Ca contents also decreased on the 28th day and increased on the 42nd day in the kidney. Mn contents declined in the heart and spleen but increased in the kidney. Mn contents also decreased on the 28th day and increased on the 42nd day in the liver. Cu contents declined in the heart and spleen. Cu contents increased on the 28th day and decreased on the 42nd day in the liver and kidney. Zn contents declined in the heart and spleen. Zn contents increased on the 28th day and decreased on the 42nd day in the liver and kidney. Fe contents decreased in the heart and liver. Fe contents increased on the 28th day and decreased on the 42nd day in the spleen and kidney. Mg contents did not significantly change in these organs. Appropriate selenium contents enhanced Mn and Zn contents, which were declined by chromium. Conversely, appropriate selenium contents reduced Ca, Fe, and Cu contents, which were increased by chromium. In conclusion, the exposure of chickens to K2Cr2O7 induced changes in different trace elements, and Na2SeO3 supplementation could alleviate this condition.

Fluid and Electrolyte Therapy in Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a dynamic disease that requires regular reassessment of an affected patient. Typical treatment regimens include crystalloid fluid therapy, insulin, and supplementation of dextrose, phosphorus, and potassium. This article presents an approach to and considerations for treatment of a diabetic ketoacidotic dog or cat.

Electrolyte and acid/base changes in dogs undergoing autologous blood transfusion via a cell salvage device.

This study reports electrolyte and acid/base disturbances observed in clinical cases receiving autologous transfusion of blood processed by a cell salvage device. The records of 12 client-owned dogs that received an autologous transfusion via a cell salvage device with pre- and post-autologous transfusion blood work available were reviewed. Blood work from the 12 case dogs was compared to blood work from 12 control dogs with similar diseases. Control dogs received similar surgical treatment and were administered a similar volume per kg of packed red blood cells as case dogs, but did not undergo autologous transfusion. Case dogs that received autologous transfusion via a cell salvage device were significantly more likely to experience a decrease in ionized calcium and magnesium levels post-transfusion than were control dogs. Calcium and magnesium levels should be closely monitored during and after autologous transfusion. Calcium and/or magnesium supplementation may be required.

Changements électrolytiques et acido-basiques chez les chiens subissant une transfusion sanguine autologue à l'aide d'un dispositif de récupération des cellules. Cette étude signale les perturbations électrolytiques et acido-basiques observées dans des cas cliniques recevant une transfusion de sang autologue traitée à l'aide d'un dispositif de récupération des cellules. On a évalué les dossiers de 12 chiens, appartenant à des propriétaires, qui avaient reçu une transfusion autologue à l'aide d'un dispositif de récupération des cellules et avaient subi des analyses sanguines avant et après la transfusion autologue. Les analyses sanguines des 12 chiens ont été comparées aux analyses de 12 chiens témoins atteints de maladies semblables. Les chiens témoins ont reçu des traitements chirurgicaux semblables et un volume semblable par kg de concentré de globules rouges que les chiens du cas, mais n'ont pas subi la transfusion autologue. Il était significativement plus probable que les chiens du cas qui avaient reçu une transfusion autologue à l'aide d'un dispositif de récupération des cellules subissent une baisse du niveau de calcium ionisé et de magnésium après la transfusion que les chiens témoins. Le niveau de calcium et de magnésium devrait être étroitement surveillé durant et après la transfusion autologue. Des suppléments de calcium et/ou de magnésium pourront être requis.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Hipocalcemia não puerperal em vacas leiteiras sob pastejo de aveia e azevém: estudo de fatores predisponentes / Non-parturient hypocalcaemia in lactating dairy cows grazing in oat and perennial ryegrass pasture: study of predisposing factors

A Hipocalcemia Não Puerperal (HNP) é uma condição rara e pouco compreendida. Não há estudos que expliquem a sua relação com a ingestão de pastagens de inverno como base da alimentação volumosa. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram descrever aspectos clínicos de dois casos naturais de HNP, e estudar o balanço mineral e eletrolítico de vacas leiteiras de alta e de média produção alimentadas em pastagem de inverno em diferentes estágios de evolução. Foram acompanhados dois casos de HNP em vacas leiteiras, mantidas em pastagens de aveia ou de azevém no município de Francisco Beltrão, PR. De três propriedades localizadas no mesmo município, foram selecionadas vacas lactantes hígidas de alta produção da raça Holandesa (n=11) e de média produção das raças Holandesa (n=8) e Jersey (n=9), mantidas em pastagem mista de aveia e azevém, de junho a outubro de 2011, e complementadas com silagem de milho. Amostras de sangue, de urina e dos alimentos ingeridos foram colhidas antes do ingresso na pastagem (maio), e nos estágios inicial (junho), intermediário (julho) e final (setembro) do ciclo de maturação da forragem. Foram determinadas as concentrações séricas e urinárias de Ca, P, Mg, Na+, K+, Cl- e creatinina e calculada as excreções fracionadas. Nas amostras de alimento foram determinadas a matéria seca (MS) e as concentrações de Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Cl e S, e calculou-se a diferença entre cátions e ânions da dieta (DCAD) nos diferentes momentos. Com base nas evidências pode-se afirmar que vacas leiteiras em lactação mantidas em pastagem de aveia e/ou de azevém nos meses de inverno podem desenvolver hipocalcemia e exibir sinais clínicos e resposta ao tratamento similares aos da hipocalcemia puerperal clássica, mesmo não sendo recém paridas...

Non-parturient hypocalcaemia (NPH) is a rare and poor understood condition. There are no studies that explain its relationship with winter pasture intake. The aim of this study was to describe clinical aspects of two natural cases of NPH, and to study the mineral and electrolyte balance of high and medium producing dairy cows feeded with winter pasture in different growing stages. Two cases of NPH in lactating dairy cows, grazing in oat grass and perennial ryegrass in Francisco Beltrão, PR, Brazil, were described. Healthy lactating high producing Holstein cows (n=11) and medium producing Holstein (n=8) and Jersey (n=9) cows were selected from three farms located in the same municipality. They were maintained in a mixing pasture of oats and perennial ryegrass from June to October, and supplemented with corn silage. Blood, urine and ingested food samples were collected before treatment started (May), and during initial (June), intermediate (July) and final stages (September) of the grass maturation cycle. Serum and urinary concentrations of Ca, P, Mg, Na+, K+, Cl- and creatinine were determined, and their fractional excretion were calculated. Dry matter and Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Cl and S concentrations were determined in food samples, and the dietary cation-anion difference was calculated. Based on clinical evidence we can assure that lactating dairy cows maintained in oat and perennial ryegrass pastures during the winter months can develop hypocalcaemia, showing signs and responding to treatment similar to classic puerperal hypocalcaemia, even in non-parturient period. Partial substitution of corn silage to oat and perennial ryegrass pasture did not cause electrolyte imbalances and did not interfere with the calcemia, phosphatemia or magnesemia of high and medium producing lactating dairy cows...

Therapeutic approach to electrolyte emergencies.

Hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, hypernatremia, hypocalcemia, and hypercalcemia are commonly seen in emergency medicine. Severe abnormalities in any of these electrolytes can cause potentially life-threatening consequences to the patient. It is essential that the clinician understand and correct (if possible) the underlying cause of each disorder and recognize the importance of the rates of correction, especially with serum sodium disorders. The recommended doses in this article might have to be adjusted to the individual patient, and these modifications must be adjusted again to the pathophysiology of the primary underlying disorder.

Treatment of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium balance disorders.

In food animal practice, the majority of the calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium balance disorders are due to low blood concentrations of one or more of these minerals. The purpose of this article is to review methods that can be used to restore normal blood concentrations of these minerals. Low plasma calcium is often accompanied by changes in plasma phosphorus and magnesium. Initial discussions will consider each mineral separately, followed by pros and cons of combined therapies. In all cases the doses of the treatments described in this article are those appropriate for the 600-kg cow.

Hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia.

The occurrence of hypocalcemia is well documented in clinical veterinary medicine. In this article, we have attempted to provide an overview of the established causes as well as information on more recently recognized etiologies such as the ionized hypocalcemia seen in cats with urethral obstruction and the presence of the disorder in critically ill patient populations. Hypomagnesemia has been identified as the most common electrolyte abnormality in canine and feline critically ill patients. Magnesium depletion and experience with supplementation appear to have most significance in diabetic ketoacidotic patients with the development of associated refractory hypokalemia. (N. Dhupa, BVM, MRCVS, unpublished observations, 1997). Although cardiac arrythmias are associated with hypomagnesemia in human patients, documentation of this association in veterinary patients is lacking. Because hypomagnesemia has been associated with other electrolyte abnormalities in human and veterinary populations, the detection of hypokalemia (particularly if refractory to therapy), hyponatremia, hypophosphatemia, or hypocalcemia should indicate the possibility of coexisting hypomagnesemia.

Ventricular tachycardia associated with exhaustive exercise in a horse.

Ventricular tachycardia was diagnosed in a 12-year-old unconditioned Appaloosa gelding after a 3-day trail ride. Initial signs were those of abdominal discomfort, ileus, and dehydration. Medical treatment included IV administration of lactated Ringer's solution. During hospitalization, the horse developed ventricular tachycardia. Serum potassium concentrations were within reference limits; however, assessment of total body potassium stores was not performed. Resolution of the arrhythmia occurred with further fluid treatment and potassium supplementation. Cardiac arrhythmias should be considered in horses in which fluid and electrolyte disturbances are evident after exhaustive exercise.

Fanconi's syndrome in a dog with primary hypoparathyroidism.

An 11-year-old castrated male mixed breed dog was referred for evaluation of muscle twitching, polyuria, polydipsia, anorexia, and periocular alopecia. Primary hypoparathyroidism was diagnosed by documenting decreased serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone and ionized calcium. Neurological, gastrointestinal, and dermatological signs resolved after calcium repletion. Initially, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol PO was required to correct the hypocalcemia. Dihydrotachysterol, in combination with oral calcium supplementation, was used for long-term maintenance of normal serum calcium concentration. Aminoaciduria, glucosuria, and hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis were consistent with a diagnosis of Fanconi's syndrome. This diagnosis was further supported by the presence of hypokalemia and increased urinary fractional excretion of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Renal tubular dysfunction resolved after oral supplementation with calcium and vitamin D3. Fanconi's syndrome in this dog may have been caused by decreased serum concentration of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, which was secondary to decreased parathyroid hormone production.

Hypodipsic hypernatremia in a dog with defective osmoregulation of antidiuretic hormone.

Hypernatremia was detected in a dog that was evaluated because of seizures. During hospitalization, the dog was fully conscious and remained hypernatremic when drinking voluntarily and when water was added to the food. Urine volume increased and urine osmolality decreased during an infusion of hypertonic saline (2.5% NaCl) solution, despite development of progressive hyperosmolality. There was no correlation between plasma antidiuretic hormone concentration and osmolality during the infusion study. The dog released antidiuretic hormone normally after nonosmotic stimulation (ie, apomorphine administration). These findings allowed a diagnosis of hypodipsic hypernatremia caused by destruction of hypothalamic osmoreceptors. At necropsy, there was hydrocephalus, atrophy of the septum pellucidum, and neuraxonal dystrophy of the cuneate nuclei. The underlying neurologic disease responsible for the CNS lesions could not be determined, but hydrocephalus may have led to pressure atrophy in the region of the hypothalamus that contains osmoreceptors.

Electrolyte abnormalities induced by hypertonic phosphate enemas in two cats.

Severe electrolyte disturbances developed after the administration of hypertonic phosphate enemas in 2 chronically obstipated cats. Hyperphosphatemia, hypernatremia, and hypocalcemia were detected in both cats. Physical findings included weakness, anxiety, tachycardia, hypothermia, and dehydration. Intravenous fluid and electrolyte therapy led to prompt, dramatic improvement in both cats. Although well tolerated by most healthy animals, hypertonic phosphate enemas should be avoided in small animals, especially those that are dehydrated, severely obstipated, or suffering from renal or colonic disease.

Fluid therapy for gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and hepatic disorders.

Patients with gastrointestinal, hepatic, or pancreatic disease frequently require parenteral fluid therapy. The selection of the type and amount of fluid for administration should be based on a knowledge of physiologic derangements and the controlling mechanisms. Table 4 provides suggested replacement fluids and supplements for each disease. It must be remembered, however, that individual "tailoring" is required for each case. In addition to an expert knowledge of pathophysiology, monitoring of the patient's weight, fluid losses, serum electrolyte, and acid-base status is necessary for successful fluid therapy. In veterinary medicine the most common cause of inadequate fluid therapy is a deviation in the amount of fluid that the patient receives from the intended amount that may have been ever so carefully calculated.