Hypokalaemia as a cause of recumbency in an adult dairy cow

A 3‐year‐old Holstein cow was presented for evaluation of recumbency. Physical examination and laboratory evaluations resulted in a diagnosis of hypokalaemia causing extreme skeletal muscle weakness. Treatment involved intravenous and oral potassium supplementation, antimicrobial and anti‐inflammatory therapy, and management of recumbency using a flotation tank (the Aquacow Rise System™). The cow recovered and returned to the milking herd. Multifactorial elements were identified as the cause of hypokalaemia including inappetance, treatments for ketosis and administration of dexamethasone.