Comparison of hypertonic saline-dextran solution and lactated Ringer's solution for resuscitating severely dehydrated calves with diarrhea

摘要

Osmotic diarrhoea and severe dehydration were induced in 15 male dairy calves 3 to 10 days of age by administering milk replacer (16.5 ml/kg), sucrose as a 20% aqueous solution (2 g/kg, 3 times daily), spironolactone (1 mg/kg, 3 times daily), hydrochlorothiazide (1 mg/kg, 3 times daily) and furosemide (2 mg/kg, 4 times daily) for 2 days. Calves were then allocated to 3 treatment groups. The control group did not receive fluids, a second group received hypertonic saline (7.2% NaCl) solution with 6%dextran 70 i.v. and isotonic electrolyte solution orally, and a third group received lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) i.v. and isotonic electrolyte solution orally. Physical examinations were performed every 8 h. Calves developed diarrhoea, lethargy, severe dehydration (mean, 14% of body weight), azotaemia, hyperkalaemia and mild acidaemia. Control calves remained lethargic and severely dehydrated during the 24-h treatment phase. Calves treated with hypertonic saline-dextran (HSD) and LRS were effectively resuscitated; however, response for most variables was more rapid and sustained for the HSD-treated group. Cardiac output was greater in LRS- than HSD-treated calves 1, 2 and 8 h after initiation of treatment because of continued i.v. administration of fluids. It is concluded that the combination of HSD and isotonic electrolyte solution is a rapid and effective method for resuscitation of severely dehydrated calves. It was similar in effectiveness to conventional treatment in which LRS and isotonic electrolyte solution were used for resuscitating calves with severe dehydration.