Effects of two oral electrolyte solutions in healthy newborn lambs.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two oral electrolyte solutions (OES), commercialized for the hydration of calves, on the water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance of newborn lambs. Twenty healthy crossbred Santa Inês lambs, 10 days old, 4-5 kg of body weight (BW), and fed on mother's milk, were included. The OES tested were slightly hyposmolar (OES 1: 279 mOsm/L; and OES 2: 283 mOsm/L) and had an alkalizing potential with an effective strong ion difference (SID3) of 76 mmol/L (OES 1) and 58 mmol/L (OES 2). In a crossover design, all lambs received the two OES, one at a time, with an interval of 7 days. On the day of treatment, the lambs received a volume corresponding to 5% of BW administered by esophageal tube at 0 and 6 h. Physical examinations were performed and venous blood samples were taken at 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. Packed cell volume, total plasma protein, pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, bicarbonate ion, base excess, sodium (Na+), potassium, chloride (Cl-), SID3, L-lactate, glucose, anion gap, total concentration of non-volatile weak acids, and percentage change in plasma volume were measured. Data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA. OES caused iatrogenic imbalances characterized by expansion of plasma volume, change in the Na+ and Cl- ratio with increase in plasma SID3, and strong ion metabolic alkalosis. These imbalances were mostly reversed 24 h after the start of treatment and did not differ (P > 0.05) between the two tested OES. The absence of side effects indicates that the tested commercial OES are safe for use in newborn lambs. Further studies are needed to prove the therapeutic efficacy of these OES in dehydrated sick lambs with metabolic acidosis.

Enteral hydration in cows: Comparison between continuous flow and bolus administration.

BACKGROUND: Enteral hydration in cattle is most commonly performed as a bolus (B) via the ororuminal route, although continuous flow (CF) administration via the nasoesophageal route represents a viable alternative. Currently, no study has compared the effectiveness of these two methods. This study aimed to compare the efficiency of enteral hydration using CF and B to correct water, electrolyte and acid-base imbalances in cows. METHODS: Protocols for the induction of dehydration were applied twice to eight healthy cows, with an interval of 1 week. In a crossover design, two types of enteral hydration were performed using the same electrolyte solution and volume equal to 12% of bodyweight (BW): CF (10 mL/kg/h, between 0 and 12 hours) and B (6% BW, twice, at 0 and 6 hours). Clinical and blood variables were determined at -24, 0, 6, 12 and 24 hours and compared using repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Induced moderate dehydration and hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis were corrected after 12 hours using the two hydration methods, with no differences observed between the methods. LIMITATIONS: The study was conducted with induced rather than natural imbalances, so the findings should be interpreted cautiously. CONCLUSION: Enteral CF hydration is as effective as B hydration in reversing dehydration and correcting electrolyte and acid-base imbalances.