Determination of red blood cell potassium content in horses with diarrhoea: A practical approach for therapy

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Abstract
The concentration of K in the red blood cells in 15 horses with severe diarrhea was determined. The red blood cell K content (RBCK+) was low compared with levels obtained in normal horses. The decrease in the RBCK+ was used to evaluate the total body K deficit. This calculated amount was administered orally, following each RBCK+ determination. In those horses which recovered, RBCK+ content returned to normal levels. During treatment, refilling of the red blood cells with K occurred only gradually as long as the diarrhea persisted. In each case, oral loading with the calculated dose resulted in an improvement of the general condition and no side effects were observed. The importance of using RBCK+ levels as a diagnostic and therapeutic parameter is discussed.