Clinical indicators of blood gas disturbances, elevated L-lactate concentration and other abnormal blood parameters in newborn beef calves

• Published in: The veterinary journal (1997) 2017-01, Vol.219, p.49-57
• Main Authors: Homerosky, E.R., Caulkett, N.A., Timsit, E., Pajor, E.A., Kastelic, J.P., Windeyer, M.C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acidosis; Animals; Animals, Newborn; APGAR; Blood Chemical Analysis - veterinary; Blood Gas Analysis - veterinary; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - etiology; Cattle Diseases - physiopathology; Dystocia; Dystocia - etiology; Dystocia - veterinary; Female; Lactic Acid - blood; Male; Neonatal calf; Pregnancy; Vigor
• ISSN: 1090-0233; 1532-2971
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.12.001

•Incomplete tongue withdrawal and weak suckle reflex were associated with decreased blood pH and increased blood L-lactate.•Calves of primiparous dams or assisted calving were more likely to have decreased blood pH and increased blood L-lactate.•Lactate meters can be used to identify acidemic calves in a field setting, as blood L-lactate was highly correlated with pH. Blood gas disturbances, commonly resulting from dystocia, are associated with failed transfer of passive immunity, morbidity and mortality in newborn calves. Modified APGAR scores intended to identify compromised calves are not widely adopted due to lack of practicality and inconsistent associations with blood parameters. The objective of this study was to determine clinical indicators of acidemia in newborn beef calves. Blood parameters at 10 min and 24 h after birth were compared to at-birth clinical examination parameters and calving characteristics in 77 commercial beef calves. There were no associations between heart rate or respiratory rate and blood pH or blood L-lactate concentration (LAC; r