Renal tubular acidosis in horses (1980-1999).
Abstract: Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is characterized by altered renal tubular function resulting in hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. The purpose of the study was to describe RTA in 16 horses. No breed or sex predilection was found. The mean age at onset of the disease was 7 years of age. The type of diet had no apparent effect on development of RTA. The most common clinical signs were depression, poor performance, weight loss, and anorexia. Initial blood work revealed a marked hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis in all horses and a compensatory respiratory response in most horses. Sixty-three percent (10/16) of the horses had some evidence of renal damage or disease. Initial treatment consisted of large amounts of sodium bicarbonate given intravenously and orally for the prompt correction of the acidosis. Response to treatment was largely dependent on the rate of sodium bicarbonate administration. Long-term oral supplementation with NaHCO3 was required for the maintenance of normal acid-base status in individual horses. Recurrence of RTA was noted in 56% (9/16) of the horses. Horses with evidence of renal disease had multiple relapses. RTA should be considered as a differential diagnosis in horses with vague signs of depression, weight loss, and anorexia. The pathogenesis of RTA in horses remains uncertain, but prompt recognition and early aggressive intravenous sodium bicarbonate therapy followed by long-term oral supplementation seem to be important to successful management.
Publication Date: 2001-04-13 PubMed ID: 11300597DOI: 10.1892/0891-6640(2001)015<0136:rtaih>2.3.co;2Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research study focuses on the occurrence and treatment of Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA) in horses. RTA is a condition that affects the normal functioning of the kidneys, leading to hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. The study was carried out on 16 horses with no specific breed or sex findings. The horses were frequently treated with large amounts of sodium bicarbonate, with the response being primarily dependent on the rate of administration.
Objectives and Methodology of the Study:
- The aim of the study was to analyze and describe the incidence of RTA in 16 equine subjects.
- The study did not identify any breed or sex-based preferences for the disease.
- The research did not point out any significant influence of diet on the development of the condition.
- The most common symptoms of RTA noted were depression, poor performance, weight loss, and anorexia.
Key Findings:
- Initial diagnosis revealed that all the horses suffered from a notable amount of hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, while most showed a compensatory respiratory response.
- About 63% of horses showed signs of renal damage or disease, highlighting a strong correlation between RTA and kidney disorders.
- The chief treatment administered was large amounts of sodium bicarbonate, both intravenously and orally, to acutely correct acidosis.
- The effectiveness of this treatment was primarily tied to the rate of sodium bicarbonate administration.
Long-term Implications and Recurrence:
- To sustain normal acid-base status in horses, long-term oral supplementation with sodium bicarbonate turned out to be crucial.
- More than half of the subjects (56%) experienced RTA recurrence.
- Horses with signs of renal disease were more susceptible to experiencing multiple relapses.
- The study recommends considering RTA as a potential diagnosis in horses presenting with vague signs of depression, weight loss, and anorexia.
Summary:
- Overall, the study underscores the importance of early recognition and prompt treatment in managing RTA in horses.
- The precise cause of RTA in horses remains unclear, suggesting a need for further research.
- The suggested approach to successful management is aggressive intravenous sodium bicarbonate therapy at the onset, followed by long-term oral supplementation.
Cite This Article
APA
Aleman MR, Kuesis B, Schott HC, Carlson GP.
(2001).
Renal tubular acidosis in horses (1980-1999).
J Vet Intern Med, 15(2), 136-143.
https://doi.org/10.1892/0891-6640(2001)015<0136:rtaih>2.3.co;2 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Acidosis, Renal Tubular / epidemiology
- Acidosis, Renal Tubular / veterinary
- Animals
- California / epidemiology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Male
- Michigan / epidemiology
- Sodium Bicarbonate / therapeutic use
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Gomez DE, Buczinski S, Darby S, Palmisano M, Beatty SSK, Mackay RJ. Agreement of 2 electrolyte analyzers for identifying electrolyte and acid-base disorders in sick horses. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Nov;34(6):2758-2766.
- Ohmes CM, Davis EG, Beard LA, Vander Werf KA, Bianco AW, Giger U. Transient Fanconi syndrome in Quarter horses. Can Vet J 2014 Feb;55(2):147-51.
- van Galen G, Divers TJ, Savage V, Schott HC 2nd, Siwinska N. ECEIM consensus statement on equine kidney disease. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Jul-Aug;38(4):2008-2025.
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