EN
Excessive water and electrolyte loss through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract during diarrhea is the most common cause of dehydration, which in acute cases can lead to death. Causes of diarrhea include environmental, nutritional and infective factors. During the course of diarrhea, electrolytes responsible for decreased water absorption accumulate in the GI tract. Together with an increasing degree of dehydration in calves the following are observed: hyponatremia, hyperkalemia and hypochloremia. Water and electrolyte imbalance implicates haematological and metabolic changes: decrease in glucose concentration, increase in urea and creatinine concentration in blood, loss of carbohydrates and accumulation of organic acid, which conduce to the appearance of metabolic acidosis. The kidneys are mainly responsible for maintaining a water and electrolyte balance. Water and electrolyte imbalance is relatively easily achieved in neonatal calves during diarrhea as a result of a limited renal function and lower than in adults efficiency of renal hormonal regulation.