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

Abstract

Hypokalemia is a fatal metabolic, pathological and induced disorder of Potassium, manifested by low serum levels generally encountered in lactating animals and during thermal-stress. Currently Potassium is given in normal saline intravenously and very slowly. This method is costly, risky and laborious. To study the effect of oral administration of 12 g of elemental Potassium and 200 ml of Propylene glycol orally in hypokalemic cows. After estimating the serum level of potassium with Serum, analyzer, the effect of Nutri-Pot (A) containing 12 g of Potassium in 50-gram pouch and Nutri-Pot (B) containing 200 ml Propylene Glycol in 28 clinically hypokalemic cows was studied. Both A & B were mixed with 200 ml of drinking water and were slowly drenched and the second dose is repeated after 12 hours. Out of 28 cows, 26 were recovered fully and returned to normal condition and milk production. Combined drenching of Potassium and Propylene glycol was only the safest, most effective and economical method than administration through a balling gun and gelatin boluses or by ororuminal intubation. Or parenteral administration.