An evaluation of an oral glucose-glycine-electrolyte solution for the treatment of experimentally induced dehydration in the horse.

The research evaluated the effectiveness of an oral glucose-glycine-electrolyte solution in treating induced dehydration in horses.

Research Methodology

• The researchers used five standardbred geldings for the experiment.
• They induced mild dehydration in the horses by intramuscular injection of 1 mg/kg bodyweight of frusemide.
• After keeping the horses overnight without food and water, average weight loss was 24.4 +/- 1.8 kg, representing 5.5% of the horses’ body weight.

Study’s Treatment Approach

• The horses were then re-hydrated using an equivalent volume of an oral glucose-glycine-electrolyte solution which was administered by a stomach tube.
• No more than 10 litres of the solution were given every 30 minutes until the calculated bodyweight loss had been replaced.

Monitoring and Measurements

• Various measurements were taken before, during, and after the fluid administration including body weight, arterial blood haematocrit, PCO2, pH, standard bicarbonate levels, base excess, and plasma concentrations.
• The researchers also observed plasma concentrations of sodium, potassium, chloride, total protein, glucose, urea and creatinine.
• The final measurement was taken eight hours after the last dose of fluid, with no food or water given to the horses during this time.

Study Results

• Administration of the solution led to a rapid correction of the frusemide-induced dehydration and metabolic alkalosis.
• The absorption of the fluid from the gastrointestinal tract was very rapid, with plasma protein values at 30 minutes after the solution administration not significantly different from values before frusemide administration.
• Plasma glucose concentrations became significantly increased for up to three hours after the fluid was given.
• An increase in creatinine and urea concentrations, observed after the administration of frusemide, was still evident at eight hours.

Treatment Efficacy

• The glucose-glycine-electrolyte solution was well retained in the horses, with a mean bodyweight loss of 2.8 kg at three hours and 6.2 kg at eight hours after the last fluid dose, indicating successful re-hydration of the horses after frusemide-induced dehydration.