2017 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Thirty-two Holstein bull calves 5-27 days of age were used in this study. Calves were acclimated to their housing and normal diet for two days. Osmotic diarrhea and dehydration were induced by adding sucrose to the milk replacer. In addition, spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide were given orally and furosemide intramuscularly three times per day. Clinical hydration scores, depression status, fecal consistency and body weight were recorded at each feeding period. Treatment was started when the calf had a hydration score of 2, depression score of 1 and fecal score of 3. Calves were randomly divided in four treatment groups of 8 calves each: 1) OES alone (mixed according to label directions); OES with hypertonic saline (4 mL/kg, IV); 3) intravenous fluids (LRS, 2 liters) or 4) subcutaneous fluid (LRS, 2 liters). Treatment was administered at 0 and 12 hours. Changes in plasma volume, acidbase status, electrolytes concentrations and physical examination parameters were recorded before fluid therapy and again at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 hours after each treatment.