Urinary indices of horses after intravenous administration of crystalloid solutions.

This research study involves understanding the effects of intravenous administration of saline or glucose solutions on specific urinary indicators in healthy mares, revealing that such infusion can significantly change these indicators.

Study Design and Procedure

• This research was conducted on six healthy adult mare horses through two separate experiments. The type of solutions infused in these specimens were of two kinds: saline solution and glucose solution.
• The key aim was to evaluate the impact of these intravenous crystalloid infusions on the processes of fractional excretion (FE) of various elements including sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P). The researchers looked at the ratio of urinary creatinine to serum creatinine (UCr/SCr), and the ratio of urinary osmolality to serum osmolality (Uosm/Sosm).
• These fluids were administered intravenously for approximately four hours. The alterations to the urinary indices were observed after the administration of these solutions.

Results

• A significant increase was observed in the fractional excretion of sodium, chloride, and phosphorus (FENa, FECl, and FEP) following the administration of either saline or glucose solution.
• While the results showed a significant decrease in both the ratio of urinary creatinine to serum creatinine (UCr/SCr) and the ratio of urinary osmolality to serum osmolality (Uosm/Sosm).
• When the glucose solution was administered, there was also a noted significant increase in the fractional excretion of potassium (FEK).

Conclusions

• The researchers concluded that the urinary indices in the mares were notably altered upon the intravenous infusion of the saline or glucose crystalloid solutions.
• They also highlighted possible limitations in veterinary medicine, by stating that fluid therapy could potentially interfere with the use of these urinary indices for diagnostic purposes.