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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2023; 37(3); 1216-1222; doi: 10.1111/jvim.16715

Effects of calcium supplementation to resuscitation fluids in endurance horses: A randomized, blinded, clinical trial.

Abstract: The addition of calcium to resuscitation fluids is a common practice in horses, but studies evaluating the effects of calcium supplementation are limited. In healthy horses, decreases in heart rate and changes in serum electrolyte concentrations have been reported. Objective: Calcium gluconate administration at a rate of 0.4 mg/kg/min to eliminated endurance horses with metabolic problems will affect heart rate, gastrointestinal sounds, and serum electrolyte concentrations. Methods: Endurance horses eliminated from the Tevis Cup 100-mile (160 km) endurance ride for metabolic problems and requiring IV fluid therapy were eligible. Methods: Sixteen horses were randomly assigned to receive 0.4 mg/kg/min of calcium (23% calcium gluconate solution) over 1 hour diluted in 10 L of a non-calcium containing isotonic crystalloid (CAL group) or 10 L of a non-calcium containing isotonic crystalloid (CON group). Staff members administering the fluids were blinded to treatment group. Blood samples were collected and physical examinations performed before and after treatment. Heart rates were recorded every 15 min during fluid administration. Data were compared using 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Results: Calcium was associated with lower heart rates 45 min after starting the infusion (P = .002). Gastrointestinal sounds were less likely to improve in the calcium group compared with the control group (P = .005). An increase in plasma phosphorus concentration (P = .03) was associated with calcium administration. Conclusions: Intravenous calcium supplementation to endurance horses eliminated from competition after development of metabolic problems may decrease heart rate but impairs improvement in gastrointestinal sounds.
© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2023-05-02 PubMed ID: 37129859PubMed Central: PMC10229320DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16715Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Veterinary
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article focuses on the effects and implications of adding calcium to fluid resuscitation in endurance horses that have been eliminated from competition due to metabolic issues. It suggests that while calcium supplementation can lower heart rates, it may also negatively affect gastrointestinal sounds in the horses.

Research Objectives

  • The primary aim of the research is to assess how administering calcium gluconate at a rate of 0.4 mg/kg/min impacts heart rate, gastrointestinal sounds, and serum electrolyte concentrations in endurance horses that have been ruled out from competition due to metabolic problems.

Research Methods

  • The researchers selected horses from the Tevis Cup 100-mile endurance ride that were eliminated for metabolic problems and needed IV fluid therapy. Out of the initial pool, sixteen horses were randomly selected for the study.
  • The horses were divided into two groups. One group received calcium (0.4 mg/kg/min of a 23% calcium gluconate solution) diluted in 10L of a non‐calcium‐containing isotonic crystalloid (referred to as the CAL group) over 1 hour. The other group, referred to as the control group (CON group), received just 10 L of a non-calcium containing isotonic crystalloid.
  • The staff members administering the fluids were blinded to which horses were in which group.
  • Physical examinations were performed and blood samples were collected before and after treatment, and heart rates were recorded every 15 minutes during fluid administration.
  • The researchers used a statistical method called two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for continuous variables and another test, Fisher’s exact test, for the categorical variables to compare the data collected.

Research Findings

  • The results showed that calcium was associated with a reduction in heart rate 45 minutes after the start of the infusion.
  • Gastrointestinal sounds were found less likely to improve in the calcium group, meaning the supplementation could negatively impact gastrointestinal health.
  • There was an increase in plasma phosphorus concentration linked with the administration of calcium.

Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that, while intravenous calcium supplementation to endurance horses dropped out from competition after the development of metabolic problems could decrease heart rate, it could potentially pose negative effects on improvement in gastrointestinal sounds.

Cite This Article

APA
Fielding CL, Deane EL, Major DS, Mayer JR, Love JC, Peralez MS, Magdesian KG. (2023). Effects of calcium supplementation to resuscitation fluids in endurance horses: A randomized, blinded, clinical trial. J Vet Intern Med, 37(3), 1216-1222. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16715

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 37
Issue: 3
Pages: 1216-1222

Researcher Affiliations

Fielding, C Langdon
  • Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center, Penryn, California, USA.
Deane, Emma L
  • Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center, Penryn, California, USA.
Major, Dustin S
  • Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center, Penryn, California, USA.
Mayer, Jennifer R
  • Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center, Penryn, California, USA.
Love, Juliette C
  • Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center, Penryn, California, USA.
Peralez, Michael S
  • Foothill Equine, Arcadia, California, USA.
Magdesian, K Gary
  • The Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Calcium Gluconate / therapeutic use
  • Fluid Therapy / veterinary
  • Crystalloid Solutions
  • Electrolytes
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Physical Endurance / physiology
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology

Grant Funding

  • Roberta A. and Carla Henry Endowed Chair in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care
  • Western States Trail Foundation

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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