Calves with diarrhea and a water-electrolyte balance.

Abstract

SummaryExcessive water and electrolyte loss through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract during diarrhea is themost common cause of dehydration, which in acute cases can lead to death. Causes of diarrhea includeenvironmental, nutritional and infective factors. During the course of diarrhea, electrolytes responsible fordecreased water absorption accumulate in the GI tract. Together with an increasing degree of dehydration incalves the following are observed: hyponatremia, hyperkalemia and hypochloremia. Water and electrolyteimbalance implicates haematological and metabolic changes: decrease in glucose concentration, increasein urea and creatinine concentration in blood, loss of carbohydrates and accumulation of organic acid, whichconduce to the appearance of metabolic acidosis. The kidneys are mainly responsible for maintaining a waterand electrolyte balance. Water and electrolyte imbalance is relatively easily achieved in neonatal calvesduring diarrhea as a result of a limited renal function and lower than in adults efficiency of renal hormonalregulation.Keywords: calves, diarrhea, water and electrolyte balance