Hypocalcaemia
Diagnosis
Clinical signs, response to therapy, serum or eye fluid calcium level - complication or differential diagnosis of hypomagnesaemia, ketosis, hypophosphataemia.
Specimens required
- At least 2 ml of serum, free of cells and haemolysis, submitted chilled for calcium and magnesium estimation.
- From cadavers, 0.5-1 ml of aqueous humor, free of blood and cells for calcium estimation. Ideally, filter aqueous humour (0.45µ membrane filter) to minimise cellular contamination.
Interpretation in cattle and sheep
| Normal: | |
| Serum | > 2.25 mmol/L |
| Aqueous | > 1.4 mmol/L |
| Deficient: | |
| Serum | < 2.1 mmol/L |
| Aqueous | < 1.1 mmol/L |