Clinicopathologic variables associated with hypokalemia in lactating dairy cows with abomasal displacement or...

To identify potential mechanisms for hypokalemia in dairy cows with left-displaced abomasum (LDA), right-displaced abomasum (RDA), or abomasal volvulus (AV).

Retrospective analysis of clinicopathologic data from 2 convenience samples of cows.

112 lactating dairy cows with AV (group 1); 1,332 lactating dairy cows (group 2) with LDA (n = 1,160) or RDA or AV (172).

Data were analyzed via Spearman ρ and multivariate stepwise regression.

78 of 112 (70%) group 1 cows were hypokalemic (mean serum potassium concentration, 3.5 mEq/L; reference range, 3.9 to 5.8 mEq/L). For group 1 cows, serum chloride concentration had the strongest positive association with serum potassium concentration, and serum potassium concentration was negatively associated with plasma bicarbonate and serum glucose, creatinine, and urea concentrations. Six hundred thirty-six of 1,160 (55%) of group 2 cows with LDA were hypokalemic (mean serum potassium concentration, 3.7 mEq/L). Ninety-two of 172 (53%) group 2 cows with RDA or AV were hypokalemic (mean serum potassium concentration, 3.8 mEq/L). For group 2 cows, serum chloride concentration had the strongest positive association with serum potassium concentration, and serum potassium concentration was negatively associated with indices of feed intake (serum bilirubin concentration) and hydration status.

Results suggested hypokalemia was associated with hypochloremia, alkalemia, low feed intake with high amount of milk produced, hypovolemia, and hyperglycemia in lactating dairy cows. Treatment of hypokalemia should include surgical correction of abomasal displacement, increased dietary potassium intake via dietary dry matter intake or oral administration of KCl, and correction of hypochloremia, alkalemia, metabolic alkalosis, and dehydration.