Enteral Electrolyte Solutions With Different Osmolarities: Clinical and Laboratory Assessment in Equines

• We compared the effects of enteral electrolyte solutions with different osmolarities.
• Hypotonic enteral electrolyte solutions with maltodextrin are effective in horses.
• Hypotonic enteral electrolyte solutions with dextrose are effective in horses.
• Enteral electrolyte solutions with calcium propionate are not recommended for horses.
• These solutions can be used for maintenance therapy, without adverse effects.

This study assessed and compared the effects of enteral electrolyte solutions with different osmolarities, administered using a nasoesophageal probe of small caliber with continuous flow, on clinical and laboratory parameters in healthy equines. Six adult females were used in two simultaneous 6 × 3 Latin squares with a mixed model. The animals were divided into three groups and submitted to each of the following treatments: SEDext: 5-g NaCl, 0.5-g KCl, 200-mg magnesium pidolate, 1-g calcium gluconate, and 10-g dextrose, dissolved in 1,000-mL water (osmolarity measured: 228 mmol/L); SEMalt: 5-g NaCl, 0.5-g KCl, 200-mg magnesium pidolate, 1-g calcium gluconate, and 10-g maltodextrin dissolved in 1,000 mL water (osmolarity measured: 181 mmol/L); SEProp: 5-g NaCl, 0.5-g KCl, 200-mg magnesium pidolate, and 10-g calcium propionate, dissolved in 1,000-mL water (osmolarity measured: 282 mmol/L). The electrolyte solution was administered in a dose of 15 mL/kg/h for 12 hours with continuous flux using a nasoesophageal probe, with food and water restriction. SEMalt and SEDext were effective in expanding blood volume, increasing intestinal motility, and decreasing urine density, whereas the SEProp caused abdominal distention, discomfort, and diarrhea in 50% of the animals, in addition to promoting less effect on the expansion of plasma volume and intestinal motility.