Effects of dexamethasone and isoflupredone acetate on plasma potassium concentrations and other biochemical measurements in dairy cows in early lactation

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether administration of isoflupredone acetate (ISO) to healthy cows increases the frequency of severe hypokalemia and whether dexamethasone (DEX) has detectable mineralocorticoid properties.

Animals: 33 cows at 20 to 25 days of lactation.

Procedures: Cows were randomly allocated to 5 treatment groups and received 2 IM injections (on days 0 and 2) of sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (10 mL each), an injection of ISO (20 mg) or DEX (20 mg) followed by 10 mL of saline solution, or 2 injections of ISO or DEX. Milk production was measured, physical examinations were performed, and blood and urine samples were collected daily on days 0 through 7.

Results: Physical examination parameters did not differ among groups; however, 1 cow developed atrial fibrillation on day 4. Both corticosteroids significantly increased plasma glucose concentrations, and ISO significantly decreased plasma potassium concentrations and increased total carbon dioxide concentrations with time. One dose of ISO decreased mean plasma potassium concentration by 25% on day 2, compared with day 0, and severe hypokalemia (serum potassium concentration < 2.3 mEq/L) developed in 1 of 6 cows. Mean plasma potassium concentration was 46% lower on day 3 than on day 0 in cows receiving 2 doses of ISO, and 5 of 7 cows became severely hypokalemic. Mean urinary fractional excretion of potassium significantly increased from that on day 0 in cows receiving 2 doses of ISO.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Both corticosteroids had glucocorticoid activity; however, only ISO had mineralocorticoid activity. Compared with saline solution, administration of 2 doses of ISO significantly increased the frequency of severe hypokalemia.