The Efficiency of Rectal Fluid Therapy in Moderately Dehydrated Horses.

AȘTELEAN, Patricia; DIUGAN, Eva; MOLNAR, Cristian; SÁRPATAKI, Orsolya; CODEA, Răzvan; BLIDARU, Alexandra I.; POTARNICHE, Adrian; MARCUS, Ioan; SEVASTRE, Bogdan

Dehydration and hydro-electrolytic imbalances are relatively common and life threatening conditions in many animal species including horses. In the present study, we highlighted the efficacy of rectal rehydration in horses, nowadays less commonly used. The study was performed on eight non-pregnant mares (Romanian semigreus and Lipiţan breeds), from Beclean horse stud farm, affected by mild dehydration. The method consists in rectal administration in the form of a high enema of a balanced polyionic solution by using an esophageal tube; the solution contains water, sodium chloride and potassium chloride. Blood samples were collected on EDTA and procoagulant vacutainers, before and after fluid therapy. Laboratory investigations include complete blood count and electrolytes measurement, total protein, albumin, and creatinine. Expectedly, dehydrated animals shown borderline elevated hematocrit associated with mild relative hyperproteinemia and hypernatremia, and elevated uremia levels. In all cases, the parameters were restored in response to therapy, and no side effects were recorded. In conclusion, this method may be used in mild dehydrated patients, when the animals refuse/cannot drink water.

FLUID therapy; DEHYDRATION; HORSE health

Bulletin of the University of Agricultural Sciences & Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca. Veterinary Medicine, 2018, Vol 75, Issue 1, p73

1843-5270

Academic Journal

10.15835/buasvmcn-vm:004917