Retrospective study of serum glucose concentration in cattle with mucosal disease

The clinical and laboratory findings concerning 154 cattle aged 10 weeks to 6 years with mucosal disease were evaluated retrospectively. Upon arrival at the clinic, 86% of the animals had a serum glucose concentration above 4.4 mmol/l. A distinct hyperglycaemia with more than 10 mmol/l was present in 30% of the animals. Significant associations were found between serum glucose level and the degree of dehydration as well as the albumin concentration in the serum. Negative correlation was found between serum glucose and serum sodium levels. In older animals higher glucose levels were found on average. As in humans, stress reactions, for example, due to dehydration, in addition to diabetes mellitus, probably cause hyperglycaemia in cattle suffering from mucosal disease.