Hypovolemia, hyperosmolality, and acidosis associated with intraperitoneal infusion of nitrofurazone solution in healthy horses.

The study investigates the adverse effects of nitrofurazone solution infusion in healthy horses, evidencing that it can cause hypovolemia, hyperosmolality, and acidosis.

Research Methodology

• The research involved a sample of four healthy horses as subjects.
• Each horse was given a nitrofurazone solution, composed of 0.2% nitrofurazone and 99.8% polyethylene glycol.
• The nitrofurazone solution, amounting to 2 L, was mixed with 2 L of lactated Ringer solution and administered intraperitoneally to each horse.

Findings

• Post infusion of the nitrofurazone solution, the horses developed hypovolemia, a condition characterized by a decrease in the volume of blood in the body, causing a decline in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues.
• The horses also developed hyperosmolality, a condition where there is high concentration of solute particles in the blood, causing cells to shrink due to loss of water.
• A mixed respiratory and metabolic acidosis was also observed in the horses. This indicates an increased amount of CO2 in the blood (respiratory acidosis), as well as a decrease in bicarbonate levels or an increase in organic acids (metabolic acidosis), causing a decrease in the pH of blood.

Contributing Factors

• These adverse effects were mainly attributed to the high concentration (99.8%) of polyethylene glycol in the nitrofurazone solution. Polyethylene glycol, when introduced into the body, can pull water into the intestines or can cause water retention, potentially leading to hypovolemia and hyperosmolality.
• The study also states that the contribution of nitrofurazone to these adverse effects cannot be completely ruled out. Nitrofurazone, a nitrofuran antibiotic, could possibly contribute to acidosis due to the metabolic reactions associated with it.

Implications

• The research concludes that intraperitoneal infusion of nitrofurazone solution in horses should be avoided due to these adverse effects of hypovolemia, hyperosmolality, and acidosis.
• These findings provide vital information to equine veterinarians and other scientists, guiding treatment practices and contributing towards improved equine health care.