Clinical significance of oesophageal groove vasopressin induced-closure 2-A new concept in the oral glucose treatment of pregnancy toxanemia in ewes

ABSTRACT

Treatment of pregnancy toxaemia was carried out in two groups of diseased ewes, four animals each. The first group [Ga] was treated with the standard replacement therapy; I.V. glucose followed by oral glycerol as a glucogenic substance. The second group [Gb] was treated with oral glucose after pre-medication with lysine vasopressin [LVP] to induce oesophageal groove closure. Both treatments were given twice a day for three successive days. Response of treatments and recovery were monitored daily through clinical and biochemical examinations. Twenty four hours after the last treatment ewes of the first group [Ga] showed neither clinical nor significant biochemical improvement, but lambing or induction of abortion was the crucial factor. On the other hand 3 out of 4 ewes of the second group [Gb] showed an improved appetite twenty four hours after the first treatment, and complete recovery was achieved before lambing. Recovery was accompanied with significant [p>0.01] increase of plasma glucose and decrease of plasma NEFA and total ketone bodies