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In calves with diarrhoea, systemic acidosis and hyper-L- and D-lactatemia constitute the most important metabolic consequences. Recent studies indicate, however, that clinical signs are determined more by the extent of D-lactate accumulation than by the metabolic acidosis. We summarize the results of different trials in which the single effects of metabolic acidosis, hyper-L-lactatemia, and hyper-D-lactatemia on the clinical condition were studied. 1st trial: induction of metabolic acidosis: 15 Holstein calves received 4.0 l of a 0.1M HCl solution i.v. over a period of 80 minutes (50 ml/min). The procedure managed to provoke a relatively severe metabolic acidosis, that reached a ABE mean value of -22.4 mmol/l (range -17.0 to -33.1 mmol/l). Despite the acidemia during the entire observation period no calves showed any clinical repercussions. 2nd trial: induction of hyper-L-lactatemia: 5 Holstein calves received 400 ml of a 25% L-lactate solution: 100 ml as i.v. bolus (1 min.), and 300 ml via an i.v. infusion over 35 minutes. The experimental procedure provoked a severe hyper-L-lactatemia that reached a peak mean value of 25.0 mmol/l at the end of the infusion (range 18.8 to 38.3 mmol/l). No clinical signs accompanied the hyper-L-lactatemia. Signs of metabolic alkalosis were observed. 3rd trial: induction of hyper-D-lactatemia: 5 Holstein calves received 100 ml of a 25% D-lactate solution via an i.v. bolus (1 minute). A clear increase of the D-lactatemia was observed right from the first control after the administration. At this time the mean value was 16.4 mmol/l (range 13.8 to 18.7 mmol/l). Afterwards the D-lactatemia tended slowly to recover its pre-trial value. Between eight and 40 minutes after the injection all calves showed the following clinical signs: impairment of the palpebral reflex, somnolence, staggering, prolonged periods of motionless, standing with unphysiological postures, lowered and sometimes waving head, and drooping ears. Calves lay down often and for longer, and had to be helped to rise. No impairment of the sucking reflex was observed. After four hours all calves appeared clinically normal. No deviation of the acid-base balance was observed. Conclusions The results of the summarized studies show that with the exception of any impairment of the sucking reflex, all the signs once attributed to metabolic acidosis can be reproduced by inducing hyper-D-lactatemia without acidosis.

Between September, 2010, and August, 2011, a series of cases of jaundice of unknown origin in young calves was detected in a number of farms in Southern Germany. This paper describes the syndrome on the basis of 57 cases, and the approach taken to discover the cause.The clinical course of the disease is described in 19 patients. Using a case definition (calves aged 1-3 weeks, total serum bilirubin20 µmol/l and/or serum glutamate dehydrogenase [GLDH] activity50U/l and/or autopsy findings with striking liver pathology [jaundice, liver dystrophy, cirrhosis]), 36 farms were included in an epidemiological survey. In a feeding trial, two batches of a dietary supplement feed, previously used in diseased calves on farms, were fed at the dosage recommendations of the manufacturer to four clinically healthy calves over 5days. Four other calves served as controls. The calves were clinically monitored daily, and blood samples were investigated using clinical chemistry and haematology.Clinical examination revealed behavioural alterations (weakness, tonic-clonic seizures and bawling just before death), recumbency, jaundice and discolouration of faeces. In less severe cases without clinical signs, there was an increase in serum bilirubin concentration and/or GLDH activity. In the epidemiological survey of affected farms, the feeding of a diet supplement feed was registered in 54 of 57 cases. The feeding of two batches of that diet supplement feed to four clinically healthy calves resulted in a significant (p0.05) increase in bilirubin and lactate concentrations, as well as the GLDH activity in serum, but without serious impairment of the general condition, whereas in control calves, no comparable changes were observed.The results of the epidemiological survey and the feeding trial suggest a causal involvement of a dietary supplement feed. The toxic principle is unknown.Knowledge of the clinical picture and the probable feed-related context is important to detect this disease early. The suspected dietary supplement feed has been taken off the market, but with other products similar problems may arise.

Since the spring of 2007, cases of an almost always lethal bleeding disorder in neonatal calves have appeared, first in Germany and since in many other European countries with increasing incidence, with some notable exceptions. Results of epidemiological, clinical, and experimental investigations are reported., American Association of Bovine Practitioners Proceedings of the Annual Conference, 2010

A disorder of adult cattle usually referred to as 'jejunal hemorrhage syndrome' has received an increasing amount of attention during the last decade. The frequency of this condition among patients of our clinic has increased. The disease is now the most frequent cause of small intestinal ileus. Therefore, a description of the clinical findings, surgical procedures, and outcomes seemed indicated, especially since the prognosis has been described as poor in the literature., American Association of Bovine Practitioners Proceedings of the Annual Conference, 2008

Drenching or tube-feeding of neonatal calves with colostrum has been advocated as a way to minimize the risk of failure of passive transfer (fpt) of immunoglobulins. The object of this prospective controlled study was to compare the effects of drenching and traditional feeding by nipple bucket on (among other parameters) immunoglobulin G (lgG) status, weight gain, and disease incidence in neonatal calves up to the age of two weeks., American Association of Bovine Practitioners Proceedings of the Annual Conference, 2007

The objective of this study was to test for correlations between alopecia and ruminal drinking in young calves. 331 calves up to an age of 31 days were tested for evidence of generalized hair loss daily during their stay in the clinic. Incidence of diarrhoea and the results of ruminal fluid and blood analysis were compared between the groups with and without alopecia. Calves with alopecia showed a significantly higher incidence of diarrhoea and of ruminal acidosis persisting for at least 24 hours. Blood analysis revealed significant differences in degree of acidosis, in concentrations of D-lactate, urea, and creatinine in serum as well as in the activities of glutathione peroxidase, aspartate amino transferase, and creatine kinase. Alopecia in calves is correlated to longer periods of diseases, which are known to be accompanied by the production of D-lactate in the gastrointestinal tract, such as diarrhoea and ruminal drinking. The question, whether alopecia is due to formation of toxic substances or to deficiency of essential substances can not be answered.

The causes for disturbances of emptying of the urinary bladder can be either neurogenic or mechanical. Among the latter, large empyemata ("abscesses") of the urachus (which inhibit emptying of the bladder), and reductions of urethral lumen (occlusions) are more common than obstruction of the bladder, at least among patients of our clinic. Urethral occlusions can have luminal (obstruction or stricture) or extra-luminal (compression stenosis, e.g. by a hematoma of the penis, or malformations) causes. Urethral obstruction (i.e. partial or complete blockage of the urethral lumen from within) is usually caused by urinary calculi. As there are other causes for urethral obstruction which differ from obstructive urolithiasis both in signs and prognosis, a prospective study was undertaken with the objective to create a detailed description of the clinical signs in cattle with urethral occlusion and to define prognostic indicators., American Association of Bovine Practitioners Proceedings of the Annual Conference, 2005

The objective of this prospective study was a quantification of the diagnostic validity of age, gender, selected clinical signs, intensity of colic, selected laboratory parameters, and duration of illness, with respect to different disease categories. The ultimate aim was to produce information that can help in the diagnostic work-up of colic in calves., American Association of Bovine Practitioners Proceedings of the Annual Conference, 2001

In contrast to the situation in adult cattle there are high concentrations of sodium and low concentrations of potassium in the faeces of suckling calves. It was investigated in this study in which stage of the development of the ruminant these changes in electrolyte levels occur, and whether there are changes in electrolyte levels in urine as well. Samples of faeces and urine from healthy calves were examined fortnightly starting with the 5th day after birth. There was a distinct decrease in sodium concentration in faecal water within the first three weeks of life, i.e. without any relation to the intake of solid feed. However, the levels of sodium, potassium and chloride in urine samples and of potassium in faecal water increased with the development of rumination. The concentration of chloride in faeces was on a low level during the whole period of investigation.

In diarrheal disease of young calves azotemia is a common event, and is sometimes interpreted as an indication of impaired renal function. Urea clearance is said to correlate with urinary flow, whereas creatinine clearance is taken to be influenced mainly by glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Objective of the study was to quantify urine flow rates, as well as the renal excretion of urea and creatinine, in young, diarrheic calves. The ultimate objective is to create a model that simulates fluid dynamics in diarrheic calves., American Association of Bovine Practitioners Proceedings of the Annual Conference, 2000

Objective: To find out whether ruminal drinking is associated with systemic lactic acidosis., American Association of Bovine Practitioners Proceedings of the Annual Conference, 1999