Effects of dietary chloride restriction in lactating dairy cows.

Early-lactation Holstein cows fed a corn silage-based diet low in chloride and supplemented with sodium bicarbonate were observed for clinical, metabolic, and production alterations over the course of 8 to 11 weeks. In 3 of the more severely affected cows, metabolic derangements included a rapidly developing primary hypochloremic, secondary hypokalemic and hyponatremic metabolic alkalosis, and hemoconcentration. Clinical signs included severe hypophagia, weight loss, muscle weakness, hypogalactia, dehydration, constipation, cardiopulmonary depression, and a depraved appetite. It was concluded that the rapid progression of these derangements, apart from any anatomic abnormalities or infectious causes, emphasizes the need for rapid assessment and therapeutic intervention in primary imbalance associated with body chloride depletion and metabolic alkalosis.