REHYDRATION THERAPY FOR CALF

Diarrhoea-related dehydration of calf is the most important indication for therapeutic infusion. A 1:1 mixture of isoionic and isotonic whol e-electrolyte solution with six-percent dextrane solution, amounting t o one sixth of the calculated extracellular compartment deficit, shoul d be used to stabilize circulation in animals with strongly pronounced hypovolaemia. This would have to be followed by eight hours of contin uous intravenous drip, using isotonic and iso-ionic whole-electrolyte solution. The infusion volume should be equivalent to 50 percent of th e calculated extracellular compartment deficit. Infusion rates should be between 7 ml/kg B. W. and 10 ml/kg per hour Additional reference is made in this paper to other variants of rehydration (solution accordi ng to Roussel and Kasari, rehydration solution according to Tromp). Si x to eight hours should be allowed to pass from clearly discernible cl inical improvement, before treatment is continued by oral administrati on of electrolyte solutions. In case of no recordable clinical improve ment infusion should be continued at a rate of 5 ml/kg/hr.