Comparison the efficacy of slow and rapid intravenous infusion of isotonic crystalloid solutions (%0,9 NaCl, %1,3 NaHCO3) in diarrheic nenonatal calves with moderate dehydration

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of rapid (1 h) and slow (3 h) intravenous infusions with 0.9% NaCl and 1.3% NaHCO3 solutions at a dose of 60 mL / kg in moderate dehydrated neonatal diarrheic calves. For this purpose, a total of 60 calves, aged between 2 and 18 days, including healthy-control (n = 20) and calves with neonatal diarrhea (n = 40) without prior treatment, was used. Calves with neonatal diarrhea were divided into two equal groups (n=20) according to solutions applied intravenously, then this main groups were subdivided into two equal groups according to infusion rate (n = 10). Clinical and laboratory examinations on diarrheic calves were performed pre- and post infusion whereas the examinations in the healthy control group were carried out once. Although clinical findings in calves with neonatal diarrhea were similar, magnitude and/or type of laboratory parameters related to dehydration, metabolic acidosis, electrolyte abnormalities and energy imbalance varied. At the end of the 0.9% NaCl or 1.3% NaHCO3 solution infusion, marked improvement in clinical findings related to dehydration were observed in all groups of calves with neonatal diarrhea. Infusion of % 0.9 NaCl solution resulted in an increase in severity of the findings induced by the metabolic asidosis while clinical findings due to metabolic acidosis decreased or recovered in two groups of neonatal diarrheic calves infused with 1.3% NaHCO3 solution. At the end of infusion, significant decreases in the parameters related to dehydration (HCT, HGB, total protein, albumin, urea and creatinine) as well as whole blood K, iCa and serum concentrations of iP and an increase in the presence or severity of metabolic acidosis (pH, HCO3, BD) and serum concentrations of Na and Cl were determined in diarrheic calves groups received intravenous infusion with 0.9% NaCl solution. A similar decrease in the parameters related to dehydration and remission or improvement in metabolic acidosis were observed in the diarrheic calves of groups infused with rapid and slow infusion of 1.3% NaHCO3 solution. Furthermore, rapid and slow infusions of 1.3% NaHCO3 solution resulted in a decrease in concentrations of whole blood K, iCa and serum iP and an increase in serum Na concentration in calves with neonatal diarrhea. In coclusion, moderate dehydration and predicted metabolic acidosis due to diarrhea in neonatal calves under field conditions can be corrected effectively and safely with rapid (1 h) infusion of 1.3% NaHCO3 solutions at a dose of 60 mL / kg.