Chloride deficiency in Holstein calves from a low chloride diet and removal of abomasal contents

Chloride deficiency signs were produced in young Holstein calves by a low chloride diet (.063% chlorine) and daily removal of chloride in abomasal contents. General clinical signs included anorexia, weights loss, lethargy, mild polydipsia, and mild polyuria. In latter stages of the deficiency, severe eye defects (scleral injection, sunken eyes, scaliness around eyes) and reduced respiration rate became evident. Feces contained varying amounts of blood and mucus. The chloride imbalance resulted in severe alkalosis and hypochloremia leading to secondary hypokalemia, hyponatremia, and azotemia. All deficient calves died after 24, 28, 38, and 46 days of treatment. Chloride concentrations of plasma in each of the calves just prior to death were similar at 31 to 35 meq/liter, which compares with normal 96 meq/liter. One additional calf made chloride deficient was recovered to normal health in 9 days following a single treatment with salt water and feeding of control diet containing .48% chlorine. Control calves fed a diet with .48% chlorine and which also had their abomasal contents removed daily grew normally and exhibited no deficiency signs. When dietary chloride was adequate, removal of abomasal contents (and chlorine) had no adverse effects on the animals.