Blood acid base, gas alterations and electrolyte chan-ges in bovines with chronic traumatic reticuloperitonitis

The study evaluated blood acid base, gas alterations and electrolyte changes in twenty bovines with chronic traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP). Blood samples were collected by jugular venepuncture for blood gas and electrolyte analysis. The mean values of blood pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), actual bicarbonate (HCO3), standard bicarbonate (SBC), actual base excess (ABE), standard base excess (SBE) and rumen chloride were higher than reference range values while potassium and chloride were lower. The mean sodium and anion gap were within the normal reference ranges. The consistent blood gas finding was primary metabolic alkalosis with compensatory respiratory acidosis except for two cases. The consistent electrolyte alterations were hypochloremia and hypokalemia. All of these modifications need to be considered during the treatment of chronic TRP cases. Blood gas analysis, along with other diagnostic tests may help in assessing the metabolic and respiratory status of TRP cases and guide appropriate treatment strategies.