Comparison of two oral electrolyte solutions for the treatment of dehydrated calves with experimentally-induced diarrhoea

We compared the ability of two oral electrolyte solutions to resuscitate ca lves with experimentally induced diarrhoea and dehydration. Sucrose solutio n, furosemide, spironolactone, and hydrochlorothiazide were administered to 18 male Holstein-Friesian calves to induce diarrhoea and dehydration. Clin ical changes after 24 h included severe diarrhoea, moderate dehydration (8- 10% body weight), azotemia, and clinical depression. Calves were then rando mly assigned to one of three treatment groups (milk replacer, 2 L every 12 h; hyperosmotic oral electrolyte solution, 2 L every 12 h; iso-osmotic oral electrolyte solution, 1.5 L every 6 to 12 h) and followed for an additiona l 48 h. Compared to feeding milk replacer, the hyperosmotic solution significantly (P < 0.05) improved hydration status, increased body weight, maintained uri ne production, decreased the degree of clinical depression and prevented de velopment of metabolic acidosis, although serum glucose concentration was d ecreased at 24 h and 48 h. The hyperosmotic solution produced a similar res uscitative response to the iso-osmotic solution, but maintained higher seru m glucose concentrations and lower serum beta -OH butyrate and non-esterifi ed fatty-acid concentrations, indicating that the hyperosmotic solution pro vided greater nutritional support. The hyperosmotic solution rehydrated cal ves faster and more effectively than feeding equivalent volumes of milk rep lacer and can, therefore, be recommended as part of the initial treatment o f dehydrated calves with diarrhoea. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.