The Effect of Rapid Intravenous Infusion of Hypotonic Ringer's or Hartmann's Solution with Glucose on the Hemodynamic Status and Acid-Base Equilibrium of Heifers.

Abstract

We examined the effect of intravenous (IV) rapid infusion of hypotonic Ringer's (RG) or Hartmann's replacement solutions with glucose (HG) on the hemodynamic status and acid-base equilibrium of heifers. Six heifers were equally divided into two groups. The animals were given 30 ml/kg of either RG or HG (20ml/kg/hr), and were monitored for 360 min after the initiation of fluid replacement. The RG and HG infusion induced an increase in relative plasma volume (rPV), reaching 124.6±12.1 % and 133.2±10.4 % at the end of fluid replacement. No changes were seen in the arterial pressure or plasma osmotic pressure. Infusion of RG induced diluted acidification, resulting from significant decreases in venous blood pH (-0.068), bicarbonate (-2.67 mmol/l) and base excess concentrations (-3.67 mmol/l) compared to pre infusion values. No significant changes were observed in these parameters in the HG group ; HG infusion inhibited diluted acidification. Thus, it appears that 30 ml/kg of hypotonic solution at a flow rate of 20 ml /kg/hr can be safely infused into cattle. Infusion of HG may be more beneficial than RG for rehydrating cattle with metabolic acidosis.