EFFECTS OF A NEW INTRAVENOUS ELECTROLYTE SOLUTION FOR USE IN VETERINARY PRACTICE ON THE ELECTROLYTE AND ACID-BASE BALANCES OF HEALTHY CATTLE

The effects of a new intravenous polyionic solution on electrolyte and acid-base balances in cattle were evaluated. Eight healthy adult, crossbred Bos taurus cattle received two treatments in a cross-over design: isotonic saline solution (IS) and test solution (TS) with 145 mEq of Na+, 5 mEq of K+, 4 mEq of Ca++, 2 mEq of Mg++, 96 mEq of Cl-, 60 mEq of lactate, 50 g of dextrose, and 4 mg of cyanocobalamin per liter. The solutions were IV infused in a volume corresponding to 5% of BW, through 3 hours. Venous blood samples were taken before the infusion and 3, 6, 9, and 24 hours after the beginning of the infusion. Glucose, L-lactate, Ca, P, Mg, pH, pCO2, HCO3-, BE, Na+, K+, Cl-, and Ca++ were measured. Data were analyzed through repeated measures ANOVA. IS caused acidifying effect due to hyperchloremia and decreased plasma strong ion difference (SID). On the contrary, TS induced mild and transient alkalinization without changes in Na+ and Cl- plasma levels. Transient hypokalemia and hyperglycemia were presented at the end of the ST infusion but did not provoke apparent clinical signs. We concluded that TS is a safe choice for fluid therapy in cattle, inducing low magnitude iatrogenic changes as an advantage. Keywords: blood gas analyses, electrolytes, intravenous fluid therapy.