Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Topic:Electrolytes
Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electric charge and are essential for various physiological functions in horses. These minerals include sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium, among others. Electrolytes are involved in maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, muscle contraction, and acid-base balance in equine bodies. Imbalances or deficiencies in electrolytes can occur due to factors such as exercise, diet, or illness, affecting a horse's performance and health. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the role, regulation, and impact of electrolytes on equine physiology and performance.
The effect of ambient temperature and saline loading on changes in plasma and urine electrolytes (Na+ and K+) following exercise. In this study 4 Standardbred geldings (age 3-8 years, weight 431-531 kg) were used. The horses were fed a hay and oat diet and the total sodium intake was about 32 mg/kg bwt (690 mmol/day). An exercise test (ET) which contained 3 phases was performed. Phase I consisted of 23.5 min of mainly submaximal exercise, Phase 2 of 2 h of box rest and Phase 3 of 26 min of exercise including an intensive trot over 2600 m at 90% of VO2max. The ET was repeated 3 times: the first at 20 degrees C (30-40% RH), the second at 35 degrees C (30-40% RH) and the third at 35 degrees C (30-40% RH) after a nasogastric...
Preparing for and competing in the heat: the human perspective. This review provides an overview of the challenges that face man and horses when exercising in the heat. Some of the strategies that are used and are being developed for human athletes exercising in the heat are reviewed. There are many similarities between human and equine physiological responses to exercise in the heat; and equine exercise science may gain some useful insights from the training, fluid replacement and heat acclimatisation strategies used by human athletes. There are, however, some important differences that impact on the ability of horses to thermoregulate and to regulate flu...
Effects of shortening the steeplechase phase (phase B) of a 3-day-event. Thirty-four horses competing in the Endurance Test of a 3-day-event were divided into 3 groups: horses in Group 1 (n = 15) competing in a 3.5 min steeplechase phase; horses in Group 2 (n = 13) in a 3 min steeplechase phase (Phase B) and horses in Group 3 (n = 6) in a 2.5 min steeplechase phase. The shortening of Phase B was associated with a lengthening of Phase C so that the total distance of the event for all horses was 14,940 m. Bodyweight (BW) was measured and total body water (TBW) and water loss estimated. Blood samples were collected from the horses prior to the Endurance Test, at the e...
Effects of sodium bicarbonate on fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance in racehorses. Sodium bicarbonate given by nasogastric tube has been used by some trainers as the key ingredient in a 'milkshake'. It has been suggested that such treatment given 3-5 h prior to racing may enhance a horse's racing performance by increasing the blood buffering capacity and enhancing lactate clearance from skeletal muscle, thereby delaying the onset of fatigue. Several experiments were conducted to examine the effects on fluid, electrolyte and acid-base values of 0.5 g kg-1 dose of sodium bicarbonate, were examined. The effects of fasting, the simultaneous administration of glucose (0.5 g kg-1)...
Ventricular tachycardia associated with exhaustive exercise in a horse. Ventricular tachycardia was diagnosed in a 12-year-old unconditioned Appaloosa gelding after a 3-day trail ride. Initial signs were those of abdominal discomfort, ileus, and dehydration. Medical treatment included IV administration of lactated Ringer's solution. During hospitalization, the horse developed ventricular tachycardia. Serum potassium concentrations were within reference limits; however, assessment of total body potassium stores was not performed. Resolution of the arrhythmia occurred with further fluid treatment and potassium supplementation. Cardiac arrhythmias should be considere...
[Off-label use of lincomycin hydrochloride in 2 horses. Dysbacteriosis and fatal complications due to inadequate symptomatic therapy]. A lawyer inquired about the possible harmful effects of 'off-label use' of lincomycin in two trotting horses. From information in the relevant dossier it could be concluded that there was no direct indication to use antibiotics. In addition, mistakes were made in the medicinal treatment of horses, namely, the off-label use of lincomycin without prior consultation with the manufacturer, fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy not continued for long enough, and incorrect use of antipyretic analgesics. The intravenous administration of gentamicin to dehydrated patients is permissible only in co...
Electrostatics of hemoglobins from measurements of the electric dichroism and computer simulations. Hemoglobins from normal human cells, from sickle cells, and from horse were investigated by electrooptical methods in their oxy and deoxy forms. The reduced linear dichroism measured as a function of the electric field strength demonstrates the existence of permanent dipole moments in the range of 250-400 Debye units. The reduced limiting dichroism is relatively small (< or = 0.1); it is negative for hemoglobin from sickle cells and positive for the hemoglobins from normal human cells and from horse. The dichroism decay time constants are in the range from about 55 to 90 ns. Calculations of th...
Weight, water, and cation losses in horses competing in a three-day event. Body weight of 48 horses competing in a 3-day event was measured the day before the event (baseline), following the dressage phase of the event (day 1), after the endurance phases of the event (day 2), and 18 to 24 hours after the endurance phases (day 3). Plasma sodium and potassium concentrations were measured the evening before, immediately after, and 10 minutes after the endurance phases. Total body water, water loss, and net exchangeable cation loss were then calculated. Body weight and total body water were significantly decreased, compared with baseline values, at all times during the e...
Fluids, electrolytes, and bicarbonate. In an attempt to enhance performance, primarily by delaying the onset of fatigue, a variety of formulations of fluids, electrolytes, and sodium bicarbonate are administered to performance horses. Some current practices of fluid and electrolyte supplementation are well justified; others have no basis to support their use. In addition, occasional combined administration of certain agents (i.e., furosemide and sodium bicarbonate) can have detrimental effects on performance.
Hemodialysis for treatment of oxytetracycline-induced acute renal failure in a neonatal foal. Acute renal failure in a 4-day-old foal secondary to oxytetracycline toxicosis was treated by hemodialysis. Oxytetracycline had been administrered as treatment for forelimb flexor tendon contracture. Conservtive treatment with fluids, furosemide, and dopamine partially alleviated serum electrolyte concentration imbalances, but was ineffective in promoting diuresis or decreasing azotemia. Three hemodialysis treatments over 4 days were administered, after which the clinical appearance of the foal improved, and biochemical and electrolyte values returned to within reference ranges. The nephrotoxi...
Echinocytosis in horses: 54 cases (1990). Retrospective review of CBC and serum chemical data from 124 horses admitted to the veterinary teaching hospital over a 9-month period (Feb 1, 1990 to Oct 31, 1990) indicated that 54 horses had echinocytosis (prevalence = 44%). In horses with echinocytosis, the most frequent diagnosis was colitis (23 horses; 43%). Odds ratios (measure of association) were calculated to determine the association of echinocytosis with specific hematologic and biochemical abnormalities. When evaluated in a multivariate model, low serum sodium concentration (< 136 mEq/L) was the only variable significantly associa...
Alterations of fluid and electrolyte balance in thoroughbred racehorses following strenuous exercise during training. Alterations of acid-base status, and fluid and electrolyte balance subsequent to exercise in Thoroughbred racehorses in North America have not been well-characterized. Des-cribed here are the results of an observational study conducted to characterize changes in fluid and electrolytes following strenuous exercise of 16 Thoroughbreds under routine training conditions. Changes following strenuous exercise were determined for the following variables: serum concentrations of sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl) and protein; pH of blood; osmolality of plasma and urine; body weight; and, fracti...
Ventricular arrhythmias in horses: 21 cases (1984-1989). Ventricular premature depolarizations (VPD) were identified in 21 horses in which unexplained tachycardia or an arrhythmia was detected on auscultation. Horses were categorized into 3 groups on the basis of ECG findings. Seven horses had uniform isolated VPD (group 1); 7 horses had repetitive uniform VPD at a rate or = 100 VPD/min (group 3). Concurrent systemic disease was identified in 12 horses, 7 of which had gastrointestinal tract disorders. Serum cardiac isoenzyme activities were high in 6 (2 from each group) of 13 horses in which they were measured. Serum electrolyte concentrations were...
Postanesthetic recumbency associated with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis in a quarter horse. Anesthesia and surgery in a Quarter Horse affected with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis resulted in euthanasia after 7 days of postoperative recumbency. Initial recovery was uneventful after extensive sinus surgery, but within 2 hours, the horse had severe muscle weakness. Plasma electrolyte concentrations were within the normal range during the period of recumbency. There was no clinical or laboratory evidence of severe muscle damage. Despite treatment with acetazolamide, isoproterenol, and intensive nursing, the horse was unable to stand for more than a few seconds and developed severe decub...
Hypovolemic hyponatremia and signs of neurologic disease associated with diarrhea in a foal. Hypovolemic hyponatremia attributable to severe fluid and electrolyte alterations was diagnosed in a foal with diarrhea. Subsequent consumption of water resulted in rapid reduction of serum sodium concentration and serum osmolar depression. Clinical signs of neurologic disease developed including blindness, loss of menace response, and seizures. Treatment of this condition with IV administered fluids included hypertonic saline solution (7.2%; 2 ml/kg of body weight), and frequent monitoring of serum electrolyte concentrations and osmolality resulted in gradual correction of the fluid and elect...
[Equine monocytic ehrlichiosis (EME), a review]. Serological surveys showed that equine monocytic ehrlichiosis (EME) occurs in the USA, Canada and Europe. The causative agent is Rickettsia Ehrlichia risticii, isolated for the first time in 1984. The clinical features of the disease are sluggishness, anorexia, colic and fever, possibly followed by watery diarrhoea. Complications of an infection with E. risticii are laminitis and abortion. Colitis of the ascending colon may be observed at autopsy. Following a positive serological diagnosis (IgM ELISA) of EME, treatment with oxytetracycline can be initiated. It is also important to restore the ...
Components of electrogenic transport in unstimulated equine tracheal epithelium. Basic components of unstimulated electrolyte transport across equine tracheal mucosa were characterized. After the tissue was mounted in Ussing chambers, both current and tissue resistance gradually increased for approximately 60 min before reaching stable values. Thereafter, under open-circuit conditions, the tissue had a resistance of 250 +/- 14 omega.cm2, generated a transepithelial potential difference of -34 +/- 1.7 (SE) mV (referenced to the serosal side) and an equivalent short-circuit current (Ieqsc) of -149 +/- 10.2 microA/cm2. Even though 10(-5) M amiloride reduced the current by app...
Heart rate, blood biochemistry and performance of horses competing in a 100 km endurance ride. To determine whether a clinical examination was adequate to assess the fitness of horses in an endurance ride, and to characterise the relationship between a clinical assessment of the horse's fitness and its blood biochemistry, 23 horses were monitored before, during and after an 87 to 100 km endurance ride. Blood samples were taken before the ride, at three checkpoints on the ride, immediately after the ride and one day later for the determination of packed cell volume, total protein, lactate, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, creatine phosphokinase, aspartate aminotransferase and plasma ...
Renal clearance, urinary excretion of endogenous substances, and urinary diagnostic indices in healthy neonatal foals. Urine (U) and serum (S) were obtained every 2 hours during a 12- or 24-hour period from eight healthy 96-hour-old pony or horse foals. Dams' milk samples were obtained concurrently. Urine volume was measured during this 12- or 24-hour period. The mean amount of urine produced was 148 +/- 20 ml/kg/day. Baseline urinalyses were evaluated on all foals at two days of age, before any manipulation. Urine generally was dilute (less than 1.008) but the specific gravity was as high as 1.027 in one normal foal. Continuous (12 or 24 hour) urinary catheterization resulted in bacteriuria but not white bloo...
Basal and pentagastrin-stimulated gastric secretion in young horses. Equine gastric secretion was studied using a gastric cannula model after fasting (basal) and pentagastrin infusion. Gastric secretory rate, pH, osmolality, and electrolyte concentrations and outputs were determined over a 5-h period. Dose-response tests estimated that the maximally effective intravenous dose of pentagastrin was between 3 and 6 micrograms.kg-1.h-1. Basal secretory rate was 278 +/- 29 (SE) ml/15 min, and the pH was 2.00 +/- 0.31. Pentagastrin infusion at 6 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 increased secretory rate to 533 +/- 60 ml/15 min and decreased pH to 1.41 +/- 0.11. Basal gastric acid c...
Management of anesthesia in the foal. Several unique pharmacologic and physiologic factors must be considered when attempting to anesthetize premature or neonatal foals. Juvenile foals are similar to adults in their physiology and metabolism. Anesthetic drug and protocol selection should reflect the differences between these two age groups. Neonates are best anesthetized using an inhalation technique, whereas older foals can be safely anesthetized with either parenteral or inhalation anesthetic agents. Careful monitoring is absolutely essential when anesthetizing foals. The clinician should plan to routinely administer fluids and ...
Electrolytes: clinical applications. Many factors can influence electrolytes in the horse. With the major electrolytes (sodium and potassium), alterations in serum or plasma values do not reflect changes in total body status. However, estimates of electrolyte alterations may be made by combining assessments of body weight changes with plasma sodium values by using the formula of Edelman et al. In planning electrolyte therapy, it has to be remembered that access to green feed or hay is important in correcting any total body potassium depletion and that diets marginal in sodium may interfere with exercise capacity by limiting sweat...
Haematological, serum electrolyte and blood gas effects of small volume hypertonic saline in experimentally induced haemorrhagic shock. The effects of treatment with small volume hypertonic (2400 mOsm/litre) and isotonic (300 mOsm/litre) saline on serum electrolyte and biochemical concentrations, haemograms and blood gases were evaluated in 12 horses using a haemorrhagic shock model. Intravascular catheters were placed surgically for sample collection prior to anaesthesia. Controlled haemorrhage was initiated and continued until mean systemic pressure reached 50 to 60 mmHg. Hypertonic or isotonic saline (2 litres) was administered by intravenous infusion and data collected for 2 h. Following haemorrhage, packed cell volume (PC...
[The occurrence of feed-induced stomach ulcers in horses]. Ponies were fed hay (n = 21) or mixed feed (n = 27; 128 g crude protein, 175 g crude fibre/kg dry matter) for at least 14 days (treatment against parasites with ivermectin before the experimental period). The feeding level was 18 g dry mater/kg body weight/day. After the feeding period (the experiments were conducted to investigate the water and electrolyte content of the alimentary tract in dependence on feed, feeding time and physical exercise) the ponies were slaughtered and the stomachs were visually controlled for the occurrence of ulcers. In the hay group no gastric ulcers were observed,...
Furosemide and sodium bicarbonate-induced alkalosis in the horse and response to oral KCl or NaCl therapy. Metabolic alkalosis was induced in 10 clinically normal horses by administration of furosemide (1 mg/kg of body weight, IM) followed 4.5 hours later by sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3; 500 g in 8 L water) via nasogastric tube. Furosemide diuresis resulted in a mean weight loss of 21.1 kg, which was associated with small, but significant, increases in venous blood pH, bicarbonate, and plasma protein concentrations (P less than 0.001), while plasma potassium, chloride, and calcium concentrations declined significantly (P less than 0.001). Oral administration of the hypertonic NaHCO3 solution resulted...
Evaluation of three strip tests for measuring electrolytes in mares’ pre-partum mammary secretions and for predicting parturition. Three strip test kits which measure calcium and/or magnesium in mares' mammary secretions were compared and assessed for their accuracy in:- 1) measuring these electrolytes compared to standard laboratory measurements, and 2) predicting the time of parturition. Daily samples of mammary secretions were obtained pre-partum from 35 Thoroughbred mares and allocated a score. Measurement of mammary secretion calcium and/or magnesium by the strip tests and laboratory methods correlated significantly (P less than 0.001). The results obtained for prediction of parturition were analysed by two methods. ...
Indices of renal function: reference values in normal horses. Urine and blood samples were taken at the same time from normal adult horses presented for routine investigations to establish reference values for a variety of parameters reported to be useful in the clinical evaluation of renal function. Blood biochemical values were consistent with previous studies and had well-defined normal ranges. Parameters representing urine concentration and electrolyte excretion however, varied widely reflecting the ability of the healthy kidney to change the composition of urine in response to differences in environment and management. Percent creatinine clearance r...
Influence of furosemide treatment on fluid and electrolyte balance in horses. Alterations in electrolyte and acid-base balance were studied in 6 horses for 8 hours after furosemide administration (1 mg/kg of body weight, IM), and the results were compared with those for 5 healthy untreated horses (controls) kept under identical environmental conditions. In the treated group, decreases in plasma potassium, chloride, and calcium concentrations and increases in total plasma protein content persisted for the 8-hour observation period, whereas there was no change in plasma sodium concentration, osmolality, or packed cell volume. Plasma bicarbonate concentration and PCO2 rema...
