Clinical Utility of Electrocardiography and Point-of-Care Ionized Calcium Monitoring in the Diagnosis and Management of Recurrent Transition Hypocalcaemia in a Murrah Buffalo
M. Jeevitha
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu Tamil Nadu veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), India.
S. Yogeshpriya *
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu Tamil Nadu veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), India.
E. Tamileniyan
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu Tamil Nadu veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), India.
T. Yuvarani
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu Tamil Nadu veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), India.
M. Saravanan
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu Tamil Nadu veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), India.
M. Veeraselvam
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu Tamil Nadu veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), India.
K. Karthika
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu Tamil Nadu veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), India.
K. K. Ponnu swamy
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu Tamil Nadu veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This case report describes the clinical application of electrocardiography (ECG) and point-of-care ionised calcium (PoC-iCa) estimation for the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of recurrent transition hypocalcaemia in a Murrah buffalo. A pluriparous Murrah buffalo in its second lactation was presented 10 days after calving with partial anorexia, reduced milk yield and a history of previous calcium therapy. Clinical examination revealed depression, cold extremities, a sluggish pupillary light reflex, ruminal atony and reduced intensity of heart sounds. Haematological parameters were within physiological limits, whereas serum biochemical analysis showed a markedly reduced ionised calcium concentration of 0.90 mmol/L. Electrocardiography demonstrated prolongation of the corrected QT (QTc; 0.45 s) and corrected ST (STc; 0.47 s) intervals, consistent with delayed ventricular repolarisation associated with hypocalcaemia. The animal was treated with intravenous calcium borogluconate, Ringer’s lactate, dextrose normal saline, vitamin B-complex and oral mineral supplementation. Serial PoC monitoring showed an increase in ionised calcium from 0.90 mmol/L on day 1 to 1.25 mmol/L on day 2 and 1.30 mmol/L after one week. Appetite, ruminal motility and general condition improved concurrently. This case indicates that ECG-derived QTc and STc intervals, combined with rapid PoC-iCa estimation, may provide useful adjunctive information for diagnosing recurrent transition hypocalcaemia, evaluating the response to treatment and supporting clinical decision-making in buffaloes.
Keywords: Murrah buffalo, transition period, recurrent hypocalcaemia, electrocardiography, corrected QT interval, corrected ST interval, point-of-care monitoring, ionised calcium, calcium borogluconate, therapeutic monitoring