Oral and Poster Abstracts

was immediately stopped and the heifers were treated, during 30 min,
with 1 mL/kg BW of a calcium solution (ValléeCálcio ® ) with 2.44 g of
calcium /100 mL, from three sources: Gluconate, Lactate and Sacarate,
enriched with 5 g Glucose, 0.47 g phosphorus and 0.19 g magnesium
per 100 mL. Venous blood samples were taken before infusion (T0),
when the muscle tremors started (T1), at the end of the infusion (T2), at
the end of the treatment (T3) and 24 h later (T4) for serum analysis of
calcium, ionized calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, plasma glucose
levels and blood activity (30 °C) of g-glutamyl transferase (gGT),
aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK). The
induction generated a similar clinical picture as seen in the natural
course of hypocalcemia and the treatment with the calcium solution
promoted total recovery. The induction generated a significant decrease
in calcium, ionized calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels,
principally at T2, but the treatment transiently increased the calcium
and ionized calcium at T3 and all of the variables returned to normality
24 h later. The plasma glucose levels increased only after the treatment,
but returned to normal at T4. There was no change in the gGT activity
throughout the trial, but a significant increase of AST and CK at T4,
indicating that some muscle damage occurred during the process.
Key words: hypocalcaemia, calcium, phosphorus, treatment
503 Clinical Picture of Induced Hypocalcaemia in Holstein
Heifers Subsequently Treated with an Enriched Calcium
Solution
R. Barreto júnior 1 , A. Minervino 2 , F. Rodrigues 2 , E. Meira júnior 2 ,
R. Ferreira 2 , A. Lima 3 , C. Mori 2 , E. Ortolani 2
1 Rural Federal University of Semi-Arid, Mossoró, Brazil
2 College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sao Paulo,
Department of Clinical Sciences, Sao Paulo, Brazil
3 Vallée S.A., Sao Paulo, Brazil
Twelve two years-old Holstein heifers were used to study the clinical
picture during the induction and recovery of hypocalcaemia. The
picture was induced by continuous infusion of a EDTA solution (5%
and pH 7.4) into the jugular vein at the speed of 220 mL/h until the
animals presented definitive clinical signs of hypocalcaemia, such as
sternal or lateral recumbency; then the infusion was immediately
stopped and the heifers were treated, during 30 min, with 1 mL/kg BW
of a calcium solution (ValléeCálcio ® ) with 2.44 g Ca (gluconate,
lactate, and saharate), 5 g Glucose, 0.47g phosphorus and 0.19 g
magnesium per 100 mL. A clinical examination was performed before
infusion (T0), when the muscle tremors started (T1), at the end of the
infusion (T2), at the end of the treatment (T3) and 24 h later (T4). The
induction generated a similar clinical picture as seen in the natural
course of hypocalcemia, but a constant and involuntary kinetic tongue
movement cleaning the nostril and nose and causing a lip sound. Limb
stiffness and uneasiness preceded the muscle tremor, and from this
moment on the animals refused food. Then apathy, staggering and
mydriasis became evident. These symptoms were followed by a rapid
sternal and in most cases lateral recumbency. Even in this last position
the heifers kept the head turned to the flank. At this moment the skin
temperature at the lower limb and anal reflex were decreased; anuria
and somnolence were evident. The heart rate and hypophonesis
increased as higher was the EDTA infusion. Conversely, rumen stasis
occurred in most cases at T1. Most animals had gas bloat. The
treatment with calcium rapidly reversed the clinical picture, restored
the heart rate and the rumen tonus and did not cause any adverse
reaction within 48 hours after treatment.
Key words: hypocalvaemia, symptoms, treatment, recovery
504 Evaluation of Faecal Quality as a Diagnostic Tool in SARA
Diagnosis in Dairy Cattle
J. Tajik1, Mg. Nadalian1, A. Raoofi1, Gr. Mohamadi2, A. Bahonar1
1 University of Tehran, Clinical Sciences, Internal Medicine, Tehran,
Iran
2 University of Tehran, Clinical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Objectives: Sub acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is characterized by
daily episodes of low ruminal pH between 5.5 and 5.0. This digestive
disorder is the consequence of feeding high grain diets to dairy cows,
which are adapted to digest predominantly forage diets. SARA may be
a common and economically important problem in dairy herds. There
is Limited knowledge of the symptomatology of SARA. Changes in
faecal consistency and structure of SARA affected cows have been
Scores 1 2 3 4 5
Parameter
Faecal Very Dry, stiff, Circular, Flat, Liquid
consistency dry, semi moist raised loose, pools of
(FCS) lumpy formed pat, symmetrical thinly faeces
pats rings spread
surrounding
a dipped centre
Faecal No few particles Massive
undigested particles particles clearly presence
feed particles visible of
(FFP) particles
Faecal gas No few Massive
bubbles bubbles bubbles presence
(FBS) of bubbles
described. Considering the fact that SARA has to be understood as a
transient condition with no clinical consequences visible at the time of
insult, it seems that faecal changes rather apply to more severe states of
ruminal acidosis than to SARA. This study was designed to evaluate
the validation of faecal quality as a diagnostic tool in SARA diagnosis
in dairy cattle.
Materials and Methods: Ruminal fluid by means of rumenocentesis
(Nordlund& Oetzel 1995) was collected from 117 cows (37 early
lactation and 80 mid lactation cows) from 10 dairies, 2-4 hours
following morning total mixed ration feeding. Additionally scoring of
faecal quality (consistency, presence of undigested feed particles and
gas bubbles) was done (table1).
chi square and fisher exact tests were used in statistical analysis of data
results.
Results: There were no significant differences between individuals
experiencing SARA (ruminal pH< 5.5) and the rest of population
(ruminal pH>5.8) in FCS (P=0.908), FBS (P=0.577) and FFP
(P=0.288). Also, no significant difference was found between animals
with SARA and a marginal pH (5.6