The aim of this study was to have a better understanding of clinical pathology of traumatic pericarditis in cattle. For this aim, changes in blood electrolyte (Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca++, inorganic P, and Mg++) concentrations and ECG parameters obtained from cows with the disease were investigated.

33 cows, 10 cows with pericarditis sicca (PS), 13 with pericarditis exudativa (PE) and 10 healthy cows (as control), were used in this study.

ECG's of these cows were examined using BA (base apex) lead.

Significant decreases were found only in Ca++ average amongst the blood electrolyte mean levels of cows in PS and PE groups when compared with the control group (p<0,001).

While significant decreases were detected in amplitudes of P, r, S and T waves on ECG of cows with PE (p<0,05 and p<0,001), significant increases were found in the periods of rS, PRs, PRa and STs on ECG of cows with PS (p<0,05 and p<0,001).

Significant decreases were found in all wave amplitudes on EKGs of cows with PE. In contrast, slight increases were coincided on the same parameters of cows with PS. In both groups, various arrhytmia; mainly sinus tachycardia, sinus arrhytmia, extrasystols and paroximal ventricular tachycardia, rise or fall in ST and shortness in intervals of ST and TP were detected.

Significant positive correlations were observed between K+ and Ca++, K+ and P (mV), Cl- and r (mV), inorganic P and T (sn), Mg++ and T (sn) (p<0,05). On the other hand, significant negative correlations were observed between K+ and QTc, Ca++ and QTc in the cows with traumatic pericarditis (p<0,05).