The HORIBA LAQUAtwin Ca-11C is a handheld meter that measures ionized calcium in bovine whole blood at the animal's side, giving a result in about a minute from a single drop of blood. It is purpose-built for dairy and beef operations that need to identify subclinical hypocalcemia in fresh cows without waiting on a laboratory turnaround.

Low blood calcium around calving is one of the most costly transition-cow problems in dairy: it depresses feed intake and immune function and predisposes cows to retained placenta, ketosis, displaced abomasum and metritis. Most affected animals show no visible signs, so the condition goes undetected unless blood calcium is actually measured. The Ca-11C makes that measurement practical to do on-farm, in the barn, on the day it matters.

How it works

A drop of whole blood is applied to the flat ion-selective sensor and the ionized calcium concentration is displayed in mmol/L. There is no centrifuge, no reagent preparation, and no sample shipping. The meter is calibrated with two supplied standards bracketing the clinically relevant range, and the sensor is cleaned between animals with the included cleaning solution.

What is included

• LAQUAtwin Ca-11C meter
• 1 × S051 calcium sensor
• 2 × CR2032 batteries
• 2 × Y052L standard solution, 1.25 mmol/L, 25 mL bottles
• 2 × Y052H standard solution, 2.50 mmol/L, 25 mL bottles
• 3 × #251 cleaning solution, 250 mL bottles
• Wash bottle for cleaning solution
• Instruction and quick reference manuals
• Hard carrying case

Part number 3200772940.

Applications

• Screening fresh cows for subclinical hypocalcemia during the transition period
• Evaluating whether a dry-cow or DCAD ration is delivering adequate calcium status
• Deciding which animals genuinely need oral calcium supplementation, rather than treating the whole pen
• Confirming clinical milk fever and monitoring response to treatment
• Veterinary practice use during herd health visits and fresh-cow checks
• Research and extension trials on calcium metabolism in cattle

Consumables

The S051 replacement sensor, Y053 standard solution kit, individual Y052L and Y052H standards and #251 cleaning solution are all stocked as separate items — see the Horiba Parts & Accessories collection. Budget for sensor and solution replacement as ongoing running costs.

Documentation

• LAQUAtwin pocket meter brochure and specifications (PDF)

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