Renal failure in a calf secondary to chronic enteritis

This clinical report describes a case of renal failure in a Holstein calf. It is suggested that the renal failure was hemodynamically-mediated. The combination of a chronic enteritis and failure to ingest adequate fluids produced the hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and metabolic acidosis. The elevated BUN, creatinine, FENa, and isosthenuria confirmed the diagnosis of renal failure. Continued testing of the heifer demonstrated persistence of the renal failure even though the heifer appeared normal on clinical examination. Monitoring the growth rate of the heifer calf demonstrated a severe reduction when compared to age-matched herdmates.