A third-calving Holstein cow presents with postpartum paresis starting on the second day of lactation. Suspecting hypocalcemia, the farmer treated the animal for two days with repeated intravenous administrations of Ca solutions, combined with physiological NaCl solutions to combat dehydration.
Before proceeding with further treatment, upon examining the animal we observe hyperthermia associated with several signs of septicemia: strongly reddened and sunken eyes, tachycardia and tachypnea, yellowish diarrheic feces, and difficulty maintaining sternal recumbency. We rule out the presence of metritis, mastitis, and musculoskeletal lesions. Given the animal's critical condition and the farmer's interest, we decide to perform a venous blood gas analysis in order to provide as accurate a prognosis as possible...
