Effects of post-transport electrolyte supplementation on tissue electrolytes, hematology, urine osmolality and weight loss in beef bulls

Abstract

To determine the efficacy of electrolyte supplementation in normalizing animal physiology following transport, 89 yearling beef bulls averaging 495 ± 13 kg were allocated to one of four lairage treatment groups of 0, 12, 24, or 36 h. Except for the 0-h group, all animals were given a 4-h road transport followed by 12, 24 or 36 h in lairage preslaughter without feed or water. Half of the animals in each time treatment were given free access to an electrolyte drink lairage. Transportation, handling and time off feed and water during lairage resulted in progressive increases in serum chloride ion concentration ( P = 0.03) and for, the 36-h group, an increase in blood lactate levels ( P = 0.02). Also, depletion of chloride in muscle ( P = 0.007) and an increase in urinary sodium concentration ( P = 0.0001) and osmolality ( P = 0.0001) were seen in the 12-, 24- and 36-h groups. Neutrophile: lymphocyte ratios were observed to initially rise above (12-h group, P = 0.01) and then fall below (24- and 36-h groups, P = 0.01) control values. Combined fluid and electrolyte therapy post-transport assisted in normalizing many of these parameters, especially urine osmolalities. Live animal weight loss for electrolyte treated bulls was on average 1.5% less and resulted in an improved retention of cold carcass weight of between 2.2 kg (12-h group) and 7.6 kg (36-h group, P = 0.003).