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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Rec / Fluid therapy in horses: how much is too much?
The Veterinary record2021; 188(3); 103-105; doi: 10.1002/vetr.164

Fluid therapy in horses: how much is too much?

Abstract: No abstract available
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Publication Date: 2021-10-16 PubMed ID: 34651870DOI: 10.1002/vetr.164Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research investigated two fluid therapy strategies in horses undergoing surgery for a strangulated small intestine to understand their responses and to identify a technique that minimizes costs and possible harmful effects.

Objective of the Research

  • The researchers wanted to study the effects of fluid therapy, a vital treatment method for conditions like dehydration, maldistributive shock, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome commonly seen in colic horses.
  • The aim was to compare the responses to a traditional approach of fluid therapy and a lower rate of fluid infusion to identify any differences and subsequently establish safe and effective fluid therapy doses.

Reason for the Research

  • Given fluid therapy’s importance, it is necessary to ascertain a balance that avoids wastage, reduces costs, and mitigates possible adverse effects. The cost becomes a significant factor as fluids account for substantial expenses in colic horse treatment.
  • Without clear guidelines on fluid therapy rate, horses often receive a large bolus or maximum flow. However, this approach’s effectiveness is gauged by basic clinical and lab-based efficacy indicators.

Challenges in Fluid Therapy

  • Administering the required amount of fluids to a horse, given their large size, poses challenges. This issue has been tackled with the advent of systems that can efficiently deliver sterile fluids quickly from 5-litre bags.
  • The fluids used in surgery can also attend to the horse’s postoperative maintenance needs, especially in horses with postoperative reflux, leading to significant fluid loss.

Implications of the Research

  • This research can drive the veterinary community to establish guidelines on fluid therapy rates for horses, ensuring that the treatment is both cost-effective and medically efficient.
  • It can shed light on the dosing balance that can potentially help in preventing horses from being deprived of much-needed surgical treatments due to higher costs associated with fluid usage.

Cite This Article

APA
Freeman DE. (2021). Fluid therapy in horses: how much is too much? Vet Rec, 188(3), 103-105. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.164

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 2042-7670
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 188
Issue: 3
Pages: 103-105

Researcher Affiliations

Freeman, David E
  • Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Fluid Therapy / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses

References

This article includes 25 references
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Citations

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