Potassium


 EXCESS POTASSIUM  HYPERKALEMIA 
 

What is Potassium?

Potassium is a macro nutrient found in soils and foliage. It also be combined to form a compound asa salt potassium chloride, potassium nitrate and so on  or on its own as an ion.

Potassium is a chemical element with symbol K and atomic number 19. It was first isolated from potash, the ashes of plants the dry elemental matter left when plant material is burned. In the periodic table, potassium is one of the alkali metals. Its name is derived from potash,  So a paddock that has had the grain crop and stubble burned will be high in potassium. Some plants are potassium accumulators.
Symbol  K
Atomic number: 19
Atomic mass : 39.0983 u ± 0.0001 u
 

Why is it important?

Potassium is a mineral that the horse’s needs to work properly. It when a compound or salt it is a type of electrolyte. It helps the nerves to function and muscles to contract as well as  maintaining a regular heartbeat. It also helps move nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells. It is has an essential part to play in maintaining the correct fluid balance inside and outside the cell via osmotic pressure.

Where is it found?

Potassium tends to be found in various crops and pastures so we need to be aware of which pastures and feed are high in potassium. Notably pastures of clover and rye. There are other sources which are covered in more detail later.

Some Interesting Facts 

 

  •  The recommended daily amount is 25gms/day for a 500kg horse,
  • 10kgs of Rye Grass in actively growing pasture at 3.34% potassium will give a horse 33.4gms. (that is over the allowable limit)
  • 0.5kg of Lucerne chaff at  3.21% will give further 1.6gms,
  • 10kgs of grass hay would supply 19.7gms,
  •  Hyperkalemia means too much potassium
  • This condition is closely tied in with calcium/magnesium imbalances.
  • Sodium (Na) is the counter balance of potassium (K)

 What happens when there is too much Potassium?

  • Excess potassium interferes with calcium and magnesium absorption.
  • Soils lack Ca and Mg where  rapid growth outstrips uptake, absorption
  • Therefore what little magnesium ingested is sabotaged by the excess potassium.
  • Rye Grass and Clover are naturally high in potassium, when fertilised with nitrogen, urea or superphosphate. Therefore during rapid growth plants accumulate potassium in their growth tips.
  •  Dairy pastures can have a potassium content up to 5% or even higher. Legumes, like Clover and Lucerne, are also high in potassium providing additional potassium

Biochemical Explanation

  • Potassium is concentrated in the fluids inside the cell wall
  •  Sodium is concentrated on the outside of the cell.
  • When a nerve or muscle is activated, potassium is ejected from the cell and the change in ionic balance sparks a bio-electical electrical impulse causing the brain (neuro) or nerve cell to react.
  •  Causes a contraction if it is a muscle cell.
  •  Once the reaction has occurred, the original cellular balance between sodium and potassium is restored and the nerve or muscle will relax
  • Potassium has a relaxing effect inside the cell.
  •  Magnesium has a relaxing effect outside the cell.
  • A diet too high in potassium means that the extra cellular fluid is permanently high in potassium thus upsetting the sodium:potassium ratio which means the nerves and muscles cannot relax.

Symptoms of Hyperkalemia

  • Muscle rigidity  Myotonia meaning ‘failure of the muscle to relax’ caused by this high potassium on the outside of the cells.
  •  Stiffness characterised by an inability to bend, stiff movement, back legs together when cantering, continual cross-firing or disuniting and a tendency to run off. Tense, hard muscles, twitching around the flanks and ribcage
  • Affected get noticeably worse each time the grass has a little growth spurt which compound magnesium deficiency:
  • ‘on edge’, often volatile, very anxious, sensitive and rigid
  • Bouts of colic,
  • Laboured breathing,
  • Skin tingling and sensitivity
  • Non photic headshaking due to  ‘involuntary repeated firing of the trigeminal nerve in the head’.
  • Acidosis,
  • Laminitic attacks characterised by or preceded by myotonia and laboured breathing.
  • Standing in a hyperadrenal alert stance with the head up and racing around the paddock for no reason,
  • ‘Out of the blue’, uncharacteristic, violent behaviours,
  • Stiffness, inability to bend, tendency to ‘run-off’,
  • Magnesium deficiency,
  • Tetany (including convulsions ).

What Causes Hyperkalemia

  • Any green, growing grass in particular Rye Grass or Clover,
  • During rapid growth after fertilisation with nitrogen, superphosphate or urea,
  • Onset of grass flush during drought-breaking conditions.
  • Feeds which are inherently high in potassium such as: Lucerne, chicory, kelp, molasses,
  • A lack of sodium (salt) reduces urination which affects the way the horse excretes excess potassium.
  • May be found in the dry matter (but not in  sufficient quantities in extracts) of the following:  Ginseng, dandelion, nettle, sage, yarrow, rosehips, slippery elm, garlic, plantain, echinacea, chamomile, comfrey.
  • Soya bean meal.
  • Kelp is very high in potassium because Potassium hydroxide is used in the processing of seaweed. It breaks down all the fibre and is left as a residue of this process.
  • Through supplementation via the horses vitamin, mineral and electrolyte  supplements where you may double dose .

What can We do?

Note Hyperkalemia is a potentially dangerous condition as it can cause severe heart arrhythmia, paralysis etc. So when you horse demonstrates any of the symptoms beyond mild, do not attempt to self medicate with just salt. Call the vet.

  • Check that your vitamin and mineral supplement does not contain potassium, but also that it does contain sodium which is very necessary to help balance the high potassium intake.
  • Look at supplementing with a magnesium supplement.
  • Soaking hay reduces its potassium content by about 50%.
  • The only time there would be a necessity for administering potassium would be when the horse is in work and sweating heavily.
  • Hay still contains potassium in good quantities, so no need to worry if your horse is getting little or no grass, they’ll be getting the ‘right amount’ from good grass hay.
  • Start to look at changing the pasture mixes to include a range of grass and broad-leaf species.
  • Address soil microbiology.
  • Reduce and or eliminate the use of glyphosates and /or feeds known to have been sprayed with Round Up or similar to hasten harvest times.

And here is a simple diagram that illustrates the relationship between all of the major minerals/Elements

Disclaimer
Hira Laboratories will accept no responsibility for the application of any of the enclosed information in practice nor will accept any responsibility for the use or misuse of any of the products listed in this site. The information on this website is conveyed in good faith therefore no warranties expressed or implied are made.

 

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