Effect of sodium bicarbonate administration on blood constituents of horses.

The study examines the effect of oral and intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate on the blood of adult Standardbred mares. The research findings show that giving horses sodium bicarbonate results in considerable and lasting changes in their blood acidity and electrolyte levels.

Research method

• The study involved six adult Standardbred mares.
• The team administered three different doses (1,500, 1,000, and 250 mg/kg of body weight) of sodium bicarbonate orally in three liters of water, or a single intravenous dose (250 mg/kg, 5% solution).
• The mares were denied access to food and water during the entire length of the experiment.
• Blood samples were taken before the treatment and at hourly intervals for 12 hours after the treatment for analysis.
• The analyzed blood components included blood gas tensions, serum sodium, potassium, chloride and creatinine concentrations, and total solids concentration in plasma.

Results

• All the administered sodium bicarbonate treatments resulted in significant metabolic alkalosis, hypernatremia, hypokalemia, and hyperosmolality for a duration of at least eight hours.
• Horses that were given the highest (1,500-mg) and second highest (1,000-mg) oral doses of sodium bicarbonate displayed persistent hypercapnia for a minimum of 12 hours.
• In contrast, hypercapnia only lasted for two hours in the mares given the lowest oral or intravenous dose (250-mg).
• A potential reduction in the serum concentration of chloride, the concentration of proteins in plasma, and packed cell volume (PCV) was observed one hour after the intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate.

Conclusion

• The researchers concluded that providing horses with sodium bicarbonate, either orally or intravenously, yields significant and enduring changes in their acid-base balance and electrolyte levels when the horses do not have unrestricted access to water.