Selected blood chemistry values in mobility-impaired broiler breeder hens with suspected calcium tetany using the i-STAT[R] handheld clinical analyzer.
Article Type: Brief article
Subject: Hypocalcemia (Diagnosis)
Hypocalcemia (Research)
Tetany (Diagnosis)
Tetany (Research)
Broilers (Poultry) (Diseases)
Broilers (Poultry) (Research)
Poultry (Diseases)
Poultry (Research)
Pub Date: 12/01/2011
Publication: Name: Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery Publisher: Association of Avian Veterinarians Audience: Academic Format: Magazine/Journal Subject: Health Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2011 Association of Avian Veterinarians ISSN: 1082-6742
Issue: Date: Dec, 2011 Source Volume: 25 Source Issue: 4
Topic: Event Code: 310 Science & research
Product: Product Code: 0251000 Chickens, Broilers NAICS Code: 11232 Broilers and Other Meat Type Chicken Production SIC Code: 2015 Poultry slaughtering and processing; 3841 Surgical and medical instruments
Accession Number: 282214791
Full Text: Selected blood chemistry values in mobility-impaired broiler breeder hens with suspected calcium tetany using the i-STAT[R] handheld clinical analyzer. Martin MP, Wineland M, Fletcher OJ, et al. Avian Dis'. 2011;55: 340-345.

Calcium tetany is a poorly defined disease of broiler breeder hens that results from acute hypocalcemia. It is characterized by impaired mobility, increased mortality, and absence of gross lesions that would explain the impaired mobility. To evaluate if hens with impaired mobility had calcium tetany or other abnormalities, blood values from normal and affected hens were determined using the i-STAT[R] handheld clinical analyzer. Three flocks were evaluated weekly prior to peak production (range 25-30 wk of age) comparing normal hens to hens with clinically apparent calcium tetany. Calcium tetany suspect (CATS) hens from four additional flocks were also evaluated. Significant hypocalcemia (P < 0.001) was observed in CaTS hens (average = 1.14 mmol/L ionized calcium [iCa]) compared to normal hens (average = 1.53 mmol/L iCa) in only one of three flocks sampled weekly. Clinically affected hens from one of the other four flocks also had hypocalcemia. Blood value abnormalities in mobility-impaired hens without hypocalcemia included hypernatremia. Findings in this study indicate calcium tetany is one cause of impaired mobility in breeder hens, but mobility impairment without hypocalcemia can also occur. Calcium tetany should be confirmed by finding significantly decreased levels of iCa in the blood, as diagnosis based on clinical presentation and necropsy results can be inaccurate. The i-STAT[R] handheld clinical analyzer is an efficient, relatively low-cost method to determine iCa and other blood chemistry values that may be associated with impaired mobility in broiler breeder hens.
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