The relationship between the severity of azotemia and blood gases in 101 calves with neonatal diarrhea

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the severity of azotemia and blood gas parameters in 101 neonatal calves with diarrhea. The calves were divided into 3 groups on the basis of their creatinine levels. The 3 groups were defined as: the non-azotemia group (<2.00 mg/dL), the mild-moderate azotemia group (2.015.00 mg/dL), and the severe azotemia group (>5.01 mg/dL). Azotemia was not detected in 35 of the 101 calves with diarrhea, mild-moderate azotemia was identified in 34, and severe azotemia in 32. Blood pH was significantly lower in the severe azotemia group compared to the non-azotemia and mild-moderate azotemia groups, while K and lactate levels were significantly higher. Although the HCO3- and BE values of the severe azotemia group were lower than the other groups, a statistical difference was only found with the mild-moderate azotemia group. Ionized calcium (iCa(+2)) level was also lower in the severe azotemia group compared to the other groups, but the difference was only significant with the non-azotemia group. In conclusion, it was observed that azotemia is a common occurrence in neonatal calves with diarrhea, and there is a significant relationship between the severity of azotemia and blood gases. Therefore, it may be concluded that it would be beneficial to monitor renal functions during the treatment of calves with neonatal diarrhea.