Which electrolyte is typically decreased in the described metabolic disturbances in the adult cow with RDA?

Which electrolyte is typically decreased in the described metabolic disturbances in the adult cow with RDA?

• A. Sodium
• B. Chloride
• C. Potassium
• D. Calcium

Answer: (B)

In an adult cow with a right displaced abomasum, the abnormal outflow and loss of abomasal fluids include a loss of hydrochloric acid. This directly lowers the chloride concentration in the blood, so the typical metabolic disturbance is a hypochloremia (low chloride) that accompanies metabolic alkalosis. The reduced chloride is the hallmark change you’d expect from the loss of abomasal HCl, while potassium can also fall due to shifts and renal losses, but chloride is the most characteristic. Sodium levels can be variable, and calcium is not specifically decreased in this pattern.

In an adult cow with a right displaced abomasum, the abnormal outflow and loss of abomasal fluids include a loss of hydrochloric acid. This directly lowers the chloride concentration in the blood, so the typical metabolic disturbance is a hypochloremia (low chloride) that accompanies metabolic alkalosis. The reduced chloride is the hallmark change you’d expect from the loss of abomasal HCl, while potassium can also fall due to shifts and renal losses, but chloride is the most characteristic. Sodium levels can be variable, and calcium is not specifically decreased in this pattern.