Acta Vet. Brno 2025, 94: 3-7

https://doi.org/10.2754/avb202594010003

Validation of point-of-care devices measuring calcium (iCa), potassium (K+), and sodium (Na+) concentrations in whole blood of cattle and horses using general-purpose water quality testing equipment

Nao Kondo1, Ayana Iwasa1, Minoru Okamoto1, Kenji Tsukano2, Haruyuki Hirata1, Kazuyuki Suzuki1

1Rakuno Gakuen University, The Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Bunnkyoudai, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
2Aomori Agricultural Mutual Aid Association, Aomori, Japan

Received October 21, 2024
Accepted January 13, 2025

To clarify whether commercially available handheld iCa, K+, and Na+ devices may be used clinically, precise and accurate evaluations were performed using the handheld analyser i-STAT 1 as the standard device. Point-paired whole blood samples were obtained from 45 cattle and 19 horses. Data obtained using LAQUAtwin Ca-11C, K-11, and Na-11 correlated with those using i-STAT 1. LAQUAtwin devices were ‘compatible’ with i-STAT 1 because the frequency of differences between measurements within ± 20% of the mean was 95.5% in cattle and 94.7% in horses for iCa, 92.7% in cattle and 92.9% in horses for K+, and 100% in both for Na+. No proportional bias was observed between i-STAT 1 and LAQUAtwin Ca-11C and K-11 because the 95% CI for the intercept and slope were 0 and 1, respectively. LAQUAtwin Na-11 showed a good correlation with i-STAT 1 measurements of Na+ concentrations in the whole blood of cattle and horses; however, measured values were approximately 4 mM lower with the former. Therefore, the LAQUAtwin series may be applied as a simplified system for measuring iCa, K+, and Na+ concentrations in the whole blood of cattle and horses under field conditions; however, caution is required because Na+ values were lower than those with i-STAT 1.

Keywords

Bovine, electrolyte, equine.

Funding

The authors thank Dr. Maeda M, Mr. Murotsuki R, and Mr. Ryoha for their assistance.

References

15 live references