Effect of Dietary Sodium and Potassium on Udder Edema in Holstein Heifers

Abstract

Holstein heifers in first lactation were fed one of four rations starting about 30 days prepartum: (1) no supplemental sodium or potassium, (2) added sodium chloride, (3) added potassium chloride, or (4) added sodium and potassium chloride. All supplements were offered at "22,7 g per day. Average edema ratings were lower for those animals fed the nonsupplemented ration compared with the other three rations. Correlations of blood serum protein, potassium, sodium, and osmolarity with edema were small. A second trial designed to study the effect of 4% supplemented potassium chloride with 1% supplemented sodium chloride indicated that effects of potassitun on udder edema may differ with higher potassium intake.