Oral treatment of hypokalemia with potassium chloride and propylene glycol in cows

Introduction

Hypokalemia, a mineral disorder manifested as too-low serum potassium levels, is life-threatening, in dairy cows. In lactating cattle, 75% of Potassium elimination is via the urine, 13% in faeces (mostly unabsorbed dietary potassium) and 12 % in the milk.^[1] Hypokalemic animals show weakness, fasciculation, and muscle wasting. Animals who are severely afflicted are unable to stand or lift their heads off the ground.^[2] The normal physiological potassium concentration in the blood plasma of cows ranges between 3.9 and 5.8 mmol/L.^[3]

With left displaced abomasum, right displaced abomasum, abomasal volvulus, abomasal impaction, clinical mastitis, retained placenta, and hepatic lipidosis, hypokalemia is frequently seen in lactating dairy cows.^[4]

An isotonic solution of potassium chloride (1.15%), which should be provided at 3.2 mL/kg per hour, or a maximum delivery rate of K+ at 0.5 mmol/kg per hour, is the most aggressive intravenous therapy strategy. Higher potassium injection rates put cows, at greater risk for hemodynamic arrhythmias, such as early ventricular complexes that can cause ventricular fibrillation and death. Parenteral treatment is expensive, laborious and calls for assistance a veterinarian.

The preferred choice for treating hypokalemia in lactating dairy cattle is oral potassium supplementation via using a balling gun and gelatin boluses oro-ruminal intubation.

In most of the hypokalemic cows, it is noticed that besides loss of appetite, dehydration, and debility, there is a substantial reduction in milk production and further the treatment was given for only the replacement of Potassium but could not provide immediate energy. Hence an attempt is made to reimburse the loss of both potassium and energy with a new formulation of Nutri-Pot( A)&( B).

Materials and Methods

Twenty-eight cows with hypokalemic symptoms that were brought to veterinary Hospital, Rayachoti were included in the study. Serum samples were analyzed with Analyzer for Potassium.

The analyzer was made by BA-88A (INDUS). Nutri-Pot,a brand product of Potassium and Propylene glycol, was supplied by Oxenvet Nutraceuticals, Kadapa The product was supplied as Nu-tri Pot (A) and Nutri-Pot (B). Nutri-Pot (A)contains 12 g of elemental Potassium in a 50-gram Pouch ,packed as two sets and Nutri-Pot (B) contains 400 ml of Propylene glycol presented in a 500 ml polythene container.^[5], ^[6], ^[7], ^[8], ^[9], ^[10], ^[11], ^[12], ^[13], ^[14], ^[15] Each 50 grams pouch was first dissolved in 100 ml of drinking water and to 200 ml of propylene glycol was added and then mixed thoroughly. The mixture was drenched slowly and the second dose is repeated after 12 hours, if necessary.

Results

The findings suggested that the potassium and propylene glycol-containing Nutri-Pot formulation would be a viable and successful alternative to the bolus or nasogastric tube administration of dissolved potassium by dairy farmers or local practitioners. The restoration of potassium levels to the reference range (K + 3.5 /l) was quicker and a significant improvement in milk supply could be seen within 3 days in cows with mild hypokalemia (K + 2.4 mmol/l and 3.5 mmol/l). Two cows with serum potassium levels below 1 mmmo/L were not able to be rescued.

Discussion

The purpose of the current study was to test the hypothesis that giving potassium and propylene glycol to hospitalized hypokalemic dairy cows with various production diseases is not only a safe and practical way to raise plasma potassium levels but also has positive effects on the animals’ appetite, milk production, ruminal activity, energy metabolism, and general recovery.

Potassium and propylene glycol enabled the reconstitution of mean plasma potassium within 3 days. In high-yielding cows who exhibit anorexia due to hypokalemia, the Nutri-Pot formulation has demonstrated its usefulness for this purpose. The oral delivery of potassium chloride in solution through the use of a bottle or a drenching gun may irritate the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and the oesophagus as a result of its caustic action. However, under actual field circumstances, recurrent use of a stomach tube or balling gun was not a practical method.

Drenching Nutri-Pot (A) and Nutri-Pot (B), proved to be an easy and safe procedure. Propylene glycol provided immediate energy, acted as a demulcent and lubricant and helped with the quick absorption of the Potassium. Improvement in the clinical condition was associated with an increase in feed uptake and subsequent milk production, as there is a strong correlation between Dry matter intake and milk yield.^[16]

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggested that the administration of dissolved Potassium chloride delivered by nasogastric tube by the dairy farmer or local practitioner may not be a viable and effective alternative to the Nutri-Pot formulation, which contains potassium and propylene glycol. The research animals did not experience any adverse side effects from the potassium Nutri-pot formulation used in this investigation, even when it was administered more than once. There was tremendous recovery from inappetence and in restoration of milk production.

Source of Funding

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.