Clinicopathologic effects of rapid infusion of 5% sodium bicarbonate in 5% dextrose in the horse.

The research study investigates the physiological effects of rapidly administering a solution of 5% dextrose in water mixed with 150 g of sodium bicarbonate in horses, noting significant changes in blood chemistry and inducing a state of metabolic alkalosis.

Objective of the Research

• The main purpose of the research was to evaluate the clinicopathologic effects of a rapid intravenous infusion of a specific solution, comprised of 5% dextrose in water and 150 g of sodium bicarbonate, in healthy, normal horses.

Procedure Followed

• The solution was intravenously infused in eight clinically normal horses. The volume of the solution used was 3 liters.
• The response of the horses to the infusion was tracked and recorded. The focus was particularly on changes in metabolic alkalosis, a condition in which the body’s pH is significantly higher than normal.
• The response was notably maximal at the end of the 20-minute infusion but persisted for as long as 8 hours.

Key Observations

• The study found that the infusion produces a highly significant metabolic alkalosis in all the horses.
• Significant decreases were seen in packed cell volume, total plasma proteins, and the concentration of plasma potassium and plasma chloride after the infusion.
• The plasma sodium concentration, contrastingly, increased significantly in response to the infusion.

Comparative Conclusion

• The research concluded that the clinical and clinicopathological responses seen in horses were comparable to those seen in humans and other animal species.
• This suggests that the physiological reactions to such a treatment are consistent across different species, providing useful insights for veterinarians and researchers in animal health care and treatment.