Hypomagnesaemia
Syn: Grass tetany, lactation tetany, milk tetany of calves
Diagnosis
History, clinical signs, response to therapy, serum, eye fluid or urinary magnesium concentration; complications of hypocalcaemia, differentiation from ketosis.
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 magnesium estimation. Ideally, filter aqueous humour (0.45µ membrane filter) to minimise cellular contamination.
- Alternatively, 1 ml of urine for magnesium estimation.
Interpretation in cattle and sheep
| Normal: | |
| Serum | > 0.7 mmol/L |
| Aqueous | > 0.6 mmol/L |
| Urine | > 2 µmol/mosmol |