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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2014; 55(8); 765-771;

Effects of oral powder electrolyte administration on packed cell volume, plasma chemistry parameters, and incidence of colic in horses participating in a 6-day 162-km trail ride.

Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of administering oral powder electrolytes on packed cell volume (PCV), plasma chemistry parameters, and incidence of colic in horses participating on a 6-day 162-km trail ride in which water was not offered ad libitum. Twenty-three horses received grain with powder electrolytes daily while 19 control horses received grain only. Horses were ridden approximately 32 km a day at a walk or trot. Packed cell volume and plasma chemistry parameters were analyzed daily. Episodes of colic were diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian unaware of treatment group allocation. Blood parameters and incidence of colic were compared between treatment groups. Electrolyte administration did not alter PCV or plasma chemistry parameters compared to controls. The incidence of colic was significantly higher in treated horses (P = 0.05). Oral powder electrolytes did not enhance hydration status or electrolyte homeostasis and may be associated with colic in horses participating on long distance trail rides similar to this model. . Cette étude a évalué les effets de l’administration d’électrolytes en poudre oraux sur la valeur d’hématocrite (VH), les paramètres chimiques du plasma et l’incidence de coliques chez des chevaux participant à une randonnée de 162 km d’une durée de 6 jours où l’eau n’était pas offerte Vingt-trois chevaux ont reçu du grain avec des électrolytes en poudre tandis que 19 chevaux témoins ont reçu du grain seulement. Les chevaux ont transporté un cavalier pendant environ 32 km par jour au pas de marche ou au trot. La valeur d’hématocrite et les paramètres chimiques du plasma ont été analysés tous les jours. Des épisodes de coliques ont été diagnostiqués et traités par un vétérinaire qui n’était pas informé de l’allocation au groupe de traitement. Les paramètres sanguins et l’incidence de coliques ont été comparés entre les groupes de traitement. L’administration des électrolytes n’a pas modifié la VH ni les paramètres chimiques du plasma par rapport aux témoins. L’incidence de coliques était significativement supérieure chez les chevaux traités ( = 0,05). Les électrolytes en poudre oraux n’ont pas amélioré l’état d’hydratation ni l’homéostasie des électrolytes et peuvent être associés à des coliques chez les chevaux participant à des randonnées de longue distance semblables à ce modèle.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).
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Publication Date: 2014-08-02 PubMed ID: 25082992PubMed Central: PMC4095964
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

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 analysis involved examining the impact of orally given powder electrolytes on the blood concentration, plasma chemistry parameters and occurrence of colic in horses during a 6-day long-distance trail ride. The results showed no significant changes in blood and plasma makeup for treated horses and identified a higher incidence of colic among them.

Study Background and Methods

The study aimed to look into the possible effects of oral powder electrolytes on horses’ health and performance, especially during an extended physical activity like a trail ride. The main focus was:

  • Packed cell volume (PCV), which refers to the percentage volume of red cells in the blood;
  • Plasma chemistry parameters, which indicate the concentration of various chemicals in the plasma;
  • The incidence of colic, which is a common digestive disorder among horses.

Twenty-three horses were given grain mixed with electrolyte powder daily, and nineteen others (forming the control group) were fed grain only. The horses’ riding tempo was either a trot or a walk, and they would cover a distance of approximately 32 kilometers each day. All along the 162-km trail ride, their PCV and plasma parameters were evaluated on a daily basis. The occurrence of colic cases was observed and treated by a vet who had no knowledge of the horses’ specific dietary treatments.

Results and Comparison

The researchers evaluated the differences in blood parameters and colic incidence between the experimental group and the control group. The results showed that administering electrolyte did not result in any changes in the horses’ PCV or plasma chemistry parameters. However, the incidence of colic was found to be significantly higher in the horses that were administered oral powder electrolytes.

Conclusions

The study concluded that oral powder electrolytes did not improve the hydration status or electrolyte balance in horses undergoing such long-distance trail rides. Instead, they appeared to be associated with a higher likelihood of colic episodes. These findings could thus have important implications for horse healthcare, particularly within the context of athletic horses and those participating in extensive physical activities.

Cite This Article

APA
Walker WT, Callan RJ, Hill AE, Tisher KB. (2014). Effects of oral powder electrolyte administration on packed cell volume, plasma chemistry parameters, and incidence of colic in horses participating in a 6-day 162-km trail ride. Can Vet J, 55(8), 765-771.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 8
Pages: 765-771

Researcher Affiliations

Walker, Wade T
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA (Walker, Callan); The California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California, Davis, California 95617, USA (Hill); Littleton Equine Medical Center, Littleton, Colorado 80120, USA (Tisher).
Callan, Robert J
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA (Walker, Callan); The California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California, Davis, California 95617, USA (Hill); Littleton Equine Medical Center, Littleton, Colorado 80120, USA (Tisher).
Hill, Ashley E
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA (Walker, Callan); The California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California, Davis, California 95617, USA (Hill); Littleton Equine Medical Center, Littleton, Colorado 80120, USA (Tisher).
Tisher, Kelly B
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA (Walker, Callan); The California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California, Davis, California 95617, USA (Hill); Littleton Equine Medical Center, Littleton, Colorado 80120, USA (Tisher).

MeSH Terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Colic / prevention & control
  • Colic / veterinary
  • Electrolytes / administration & dosage
  • Electrolytes / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
  • Horses
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
  • Plasma / drug effects
  • Powders
  • Water / metabolism
  • Water-Electrolyte Balance / drug effects

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