Changes in blood gases and electrolytes in local calves affected with diarrhea

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the blood pH, blood gases concentration , electrolytes and changes in some haematological parameters and total protein in Iraqi local breed calves affected with diarrhea from both sexes, aged between 1– 30 days old during the period from November 2010 to March 2011. The study was conducted on 40 blood samples (30 calves affected with diarrhea and ten clinically normal animals served as a control group). Results of the hematological analysis revealed significant increased in the means of hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and total protein concentration in those affected with diarrhea in comparison with the mean of the control animals. The results also indicated a significant decreased in the means of the blood pH, Partial pressure of oxygen concentration base excess and the sodium and bicarbonate ions concentrations with a significant increased in the mean of anion gap in calves affected with diarrhea in comparison with the means of the control animals. After calculation of the bicarbonate ion: carbonic acid ratio the results showed significantly decreased in this ratio in the calves affected with diarrhea in comparison with the values in the control animals. On the basis of this result, it have been concluded that there are three types of acidosis including uncompensated metabolic acidosis, mixed acidosis (respiratory and metabolic) and compensate metabolic acidosis.