Hematology, plasma biochemistry, and urinary excretion of glucose and minerals in dairy cows affected with parturient paresis

Abstract

The hematology, plasma biochemistry, and urinary excretion of glucose and certain minerals in nine pluriparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows affected with clinical parturient paresis were reported in this study. For comparison, 12 normal cows from represented herds were selected to match age, parity, and lactation stage of affected cows. Cows affected with parturient paresis had subnormal rectal temperature, bradycardia, and hyperpnea. Rumen motility was reduced in all affected cows. Cows affected with parturient paresis had significantly elevated packed cell volume and significantly increased numbers of leukocytes and neutrophils. In the plasma biochemical analysis, affected cows had significantly elevated glucose, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and total protein. Plasma insulin was significantly decreased in affected cows. Plasma calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium concentrations in affected cows were significantly lower than in normal cows. In the urine analysis, no significant changes were found between the two groups in any of the studied parameters.