Clinical and laboratory evaluation in horses submitted to intracecal fluid therapy administered in two different rates.
Abstract: Two routes of administration for electrolyte solutions are commonly used in horses with fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base imbalances: intravenous and nasogastric. Despite the frequent use of these routes, there are situations in which they cannot be applied. In such cases, intracecal fluid therapy represents a viable alternative, as this route enables the administration of enteral electrolyte solutions even in animals lacking normal anterior gastrointestinal function. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a neutral hypotonic enteral electrolyte solution administered intracecally at two different infusion rates in horses experimentally subjected to a 24-h fasting period. Unassigned: This study employed a crossover design in which six experimentally dehydrated horses underwent two treatments: Treat10 (10 mL kg h) and Treat15 (15 mL kg h) with a single neutral solution. Horses were subjected to cecal cannulation via video laparoscopy using a modified Hasson technique to insert a Foley catheter for solution administration. Samples were collected at T-24 h (baseline, at the start of the water and food deprivation phase), T0h (at the end of the deprivation phase and the beginning of the fluid therapy), T4h (4 h after the start of fluid therapy), T8h (8 h after the start of fluid therapy), T12h (twelve hours after the start of fluid therapy), and T24h (twelve hours after the end of fluid therapy). Blood gas analysis and measurements of serum osmolarity, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, fibrinogen, urea, creatinine, total protein, lactate, and glucose concentrations were performed. Urine samples were analyzed for concentrations of urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Unassigned: During the fluid therapy phase in animals from both groups, a progressive decrease in serum urea and potassium concentrations was recorded. A decrease in urinary specific gravity, urea and creatinine was also detected during the same period. Unassigned: Intracecal administration of electrolyte solutions at rates of 10 mL (Treat10) and 15 mL (Treat15) over 12 h was effective and safe. The electrolyte solution used did not cause significant alterations in electrolyte or acid-base balance, suggesting that its composition is appropriate.
Copyright © 2026 Ventura Lopes Carvalho, Neves de Souza, Souza Moreira, Parisi Marliere, Mesquita Mota, Drumond Bento, de Castro Benitez, Avanza, Bertoni Cavalcanti Teixeira, Barboza Silva, Viana, Moura Monteiro, Maia Teixeira, Toribio, Manso Filho and Dantas Ribeiro Filho.
Publication Date: 2026-01-12 PubMed ID: 41602629PubMed Central: PMC12832549DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1637033Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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Overview
- This study investigated the safety and effects of administering an electrolyte solution directly into the cecum of horses at two different rates after a 24-hour fast.
- It evaluated clinical and laboratory parameters to determine whether intracecal fluid therapy could serve as a viable alternative when traditional routes (intravenous or nasogastric) are not feasible.
Background
- Horses often receive fluid therapy via intravenous (IV) or nasogastric (NG) routes to correct fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base imbalances.
- There are clinical circumstances where IV or NG administration is not possible or practical, necessitating alternative routes.
- Intracecal administration—direct infusion of fluids into the cecum (a part of the large intestine)—is explored as such an alternative, potentially allowing enteral fluid administration even if the upper gastrointestinal tract is compromised.
Study Objective
- To assess the clinical and laboratory effects of a neutral hypotonic electrolyte solution administered intracecally at two different infusion rates (10 mL/kg/h and 15 mL/kg/h).
- To determine whether intracecal fluid therapy effectively maintains fluid and electrolyte balance in dehydrated horses following fasting.
Methods
- Six healthy horses underwent a crossover experimental design; each horse received both treatments with a washout period between them.
- Each horse was fasted for 24 hours to induce dehydration prior to treatment.
- The cecum was surgically cannulated using video laparoscopy and a modified Hasson technique to place a Foley catheter for direct intracecal infusion.
- Two treatments were tested:
- Treat10: fluid infused at 10 mL/kg/h
- Treat15: fluid infused at 15 mL/kg/h
- The electrolyte solution used was neutral and hypotonic, designed to avoid disrupting electrolyte or acid-base balance.
- Sampling times for blood and urine analyses:
- T-24h: baseline before fasting
- T0h: start of fluid therapy (end of fasting)
- T4h, T8h, T12h: during fluid therapy
- T24h: 12 hours post completion of fluid therapy
- Laboratory analyses included:
- Blood gas analysis to monitor acid-base status
- Serum tests: osmolarity, electrolytes (Na, K, Cl, Ca, Mg, P), fibrinogen, urea, creatinine, total protein, lactate, glucose
- Urine tests: urea, creatinine, electrolytes (Na, K, Cl, Ca, Mg, P), and specific gravity
Results
- Both infusion rates led to a progressive decrease in serum urea and potassium levels during the fluid therapy phase, indicating improved hydration and kidney function.
- Urine analyses showed decreased specific gravity, urea, and creatinine concentrations, which are consistent with increased urine output and improved renal clearance.
- No significant or adverse changes were observed in electrolyte concentrations or acid-base balance, suggesting the solution’s composition was appropriate and safe for intracecal administration.
- The higher infusion rate (15 mL/kg/h) did not produce any negative clinical or laboratory findings compared to the lower rate (10 mL/kg/h), indicating both rates are effective.
Conclusions
- Intracecal administration of a neutral hypotonic enteral electrolyte solution is a practical and safe alternative to IV or NG fluid therapy in dehydrated horses, particularly when traditional routes are unavailable.
- The solution maintained stable electrolyte and acid-base status across both infusion rates.
- Fluid therapy via the cecum effectively improved hydration and renal parameters after fasting-induced dehydration.
- This method may enhance clinical management options for horses, expanding the routes available for fluid and electrolyte therapy.
Cite This Article
APA
Ventura Lopes Carvalho B, Neves de Souza MC, Souza Moreira N, Parisi Marliere J, Mesquita Mota JV, Drumond Bento L, de Castro Benitez A, Avanza MFB, Bertoni Cavalcanti Teixeira R, Barboza Silva JR, Viana RB, Moura Monteiro B, Maia Teixeira PP, Toribio R, Manso Filho HC, Dantas Ribeiro Filho J.
(2026).
Clinical and laboratory evaluation in horses submitted to intracecal fluid therapy administered in two different rates.
Front Vet Sci, 12, 1637033.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1637033 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.
- Institute of Animal Health and Production, Federal Rural University of the Amazon, Belém, Brazil.
- Institute of Animal Health and Production, Federal Rural University of the Amazon, Belém, Brazil.
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pará, Castanhal, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States.
- Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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