Comparative Trial of Continuous Flow Enteral and Intravenous Fluid Therapy in Horses.

Domingos C R Dias,Hélio C Manso Filho,Paulo V M Santos,Raffaella B C Teixeira,Nadyne S Moreira,Fernanda T D R Dantas,Thereza C C Bittencourt,José D Ribeiro Filho,Samuel R Alves,Paula A Di Filippo,Rinaldo B Viana

doi:10.3389/fvets.2021.686425

Abstract

Continuous flow enteral fluid therapy with isotonic and hypotonic enteral electrolyte solutions are as safe and effective as intravenous fluid therapy. The aim of this study was to carry out a comparative assessment between continuous flow enteral and intravenous (IV) fluid therapy in adult experimentally dehydrated horses. Six experimentally dehydrated adult mares were used in a study carried out in a 6 × 3 crossover design, which each animal received three different treatments (isotonic enteral fluid therapy—EsISO, hypotonic enteral fluid therapy—EsHYPO and intravenous fluid therapy with Lactate Ringer Solution—LR IV, all in continuous flow). Solutions were administered at a rate of 15 mL−1.kg−1.h−1 for 8 h, after 36 h of water and food deprivation. Serum and urinary biochemical assessment; urinary volume, pH and specific gravity; and blood gas analysis were measured at −36, 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h. The dehydration period (DP) caused discrete hydroelectrolytic and acid base imbalances. The EsISO, EsHYPO and LR IV increased blood volume. Enteral solutions restored the imbalances yielded by the DP and all treatments increased urine volume. Also, the EsHYPO and LR IV showed no effects in acid base balance, while EsISO showed slightly acidifying effect. The present study certifies the efficacy and safety of isotonic and hypotonic continuous flow enteral fluid therapy in comparison to IV fluid therapy in dehydrated horses.

Highlights

The therapeutic choice to regulate water, electrolyte and acid-base imbalances in horses is fluid therapy
During the fluid therapy phase, significantly higher sodium levels were observed in the LR IV treatment group (T2h, T4h, and T6h) in comparison to EsISO and EsHYPO (Table 2)
The dehydration period (DP) caused a significant decrease in serum potassium, chloride and ionized calcium in comparison to baseline values (T-36h)

Summary

Introduction

The therapeutic choice to regulate water, electrolyte and acid-base imbalances in horses is fluid therapy. Among the different modalities of hydroelectrolytic therapies, the intravenous (IV) administration of commercial electrolyte solutions is traditionally considered the most effective [1] and the most employed in equine medicine. Enteral and Intravenous Fluid Therapy in Horses. The administration of electrolytic solutions through the nasogastric route is routinely used in horses, but to a lesser extent when compared to the intravenous modality. Enteral fluid therapy (EFT) via the nasogastric route has been studied with excellent results in the equine species [2,3,4]. In EFT electrolyte solutions are infused directly into the gastrointestinal tract in order to be absorbed towards the plasma compartment

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