Serum potassium-lowering effects of insulin plus dextrose and adrenalin treatment that enhance intracellular potassium transitions in hyperkalemic diarrheic calves

The study examined the serum potassium-lowering effects of different treatment options for hyperkalemia in diarrheic calves (n=18). Calves were allocated into three treatment groups. All groups received isotonic sodium bicarbonate solution for a period of 90 minutes. The animals in group 1 received no further treatment, those in group 2 received a further dose of 50% dextrose and insulin, and those in group 3 received a further dose of adrenaline. High serum K levels in all groups significantly decreased after treatment (AT) than before treatment (BT). Serum potassium levels AT in groups 2 and 3 were found to be significantly lower than those in group 1. Increase in pH, bicarbonate and total carbon dioxide values were observed AT in all groups. However, bicarbonate and total carbon dioxide levels in the AT were not statistically significantly different from those in the adrenaline group compared with the groups 1. These parameters were significantly lower in the group 2. Moreover, the concentration of glucose in the groups 2 in contrast to the adrenalin group was higher than that in both the BT and group 1 AT. The insulin + dextrose combination and adrenaline applications in hyperkalemic calves had similar effects. However, the administration of adrenaline had a lower negative effect on metabolic acidosis treatment. ©2015 PVJ