FALLIBILITY OF PLASMA UREA AND CREATININE AS INDEXES OF RENAL-FUNCTION IN DIARRHEIC CALVES TREATED WITH CONVENTIONAL OR NUTRITIONAL ORAL REHYDRATION SOLUTIONS

Changes in plasma urea, creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (GFR ) were measured in calves before and after development of diarrhoea an d during treatment with a conventional (WHO-type) or a nutritional ora l rehydration solution (ORS). Changes in urea and creatinine failed to represent the extent of pre-renal failure. The two ORSs differed in t heir impact on GFR with the nutritional ORS improving GFR whereas with the WHO-type solution it deteriorated further.