Clinical, hematologic, and electrolyte changes with 0.9% sodium chloride or acetated fluids in endurance horses

To describe the clinical and laboratory changes associated with the use of IV0.9% sodium chloride and a commercially available acetated fluid (CAF) to treat endurance horses requiring emergency medical treatment.

Randomized, controlled clinical trial from 2007 to 2010.

Emergency treatment centers of the Western States 100-mile (220 km) endurance ride.

Twelve horses requiring emergency medical treatment in the form of IVfluids completed the study.

Horses were assigned to either the 0.9% sodium chloride group (6 horses) or CAF group (6 horses) and received a total of 20 L of fluid. Clinical, hematologic, and electrolyte data were collected prior to and during fluid therapy.

As compared to results prior to fluid therapy, horses treated with 0.9% sodium chloride had a decrease in heart rate (P < 0.01), PCV (P < 0.001), total plasma protein (TPP) (P < 0.001), and the sodium-chloride difference (P < 0.05). These horses also had an increase in plasma chloride (P < 0.01) and sodium (P < 0.01) concentrations. Horses treated with CAF showed a decrease in PCV (P < 0.01) and TPP (P < 0.001).

These findings should aid in the design a larger clinical trial to provide further clarification on the effects of type of fluid therapy on clinical and biochemical parameters in endurance horses. The use of 0.9% sodium chloride may not be ideal for the emergency management of endurance horses as it was associated with an increase in plasma chloride concentration.