Acid:base and serum biochemistry changes in horses competing at a modified 1 Star 3‐day‐event

Abstract

Summary We examined the effects of participation in each of 3 modifications of Day 2 of a 3‐day‐event on blood and serum variables indicative of hydration, acid:base status and electrolyte homeostasis of horses. Three groups of horses − 8 European (E) horses and 2 groups each of 9 North American horses performed identical Days 1 (dressage) and 3 (stadium jumping) of a 3‐day‐event. E horses and one group of the North American horses (TD) performed modifications of Day 2 of a 1 Star 3‐day‐event and the other group of North American horses (HT) performed a Horse Trial on Day 2. Jugular venous blood was collected from each horse on the morning of Day 2 before any warm‐up activity, between 4 min 55 s and 5 min 15 s after Phase D and the following morning. Eight E horses, 5 TD horses and 8 HT horses completed the trials. There were few significant differences in acid:base or serum biochemistry variables detected among horses performing either 2 variations of the Speed and Endurance day of a 1 Star 3‐day‐event, or a conventional Horse Trial. Failure to detect differences among groups may have been related to the low statistical power associated with the small number of horses, especially in the TD group, variation in quality of horses among groups and the different times of the day at which the E horses competed. Differences detected among time points were usually common to all groups and demonstrated metabolic acidosis with a compensatory respiratory alkalosis, a reduction in total body water and cation content, and hypocalcaemia. Importantly, horses of all groups did not replenish cation, chloride, and calcium deficits after 14–18 h of recovery.

Traditional and quantitative analysis of acid‐base and electrolyte imbalances in horses competing in cross‐country competitions at 2‐star to 5‐star level

“…The study indicated a constant positive bias for Na + and a constant positive as well as proportional bias for Cl − concentrations. This deviation may explain the relatively high Na + and Cl − concentrations observed in our study compared to previous studies in athletic horses . Because of the proportional bias, overestimation of Cl − concentrations may have been especially relevant when the actual Cl − concentrations were low.…”

“…12 The increases from pre-exercise to T10 TP concentrations observed in our study corresponded to an approximately 12% (IL) and 11% (AL) decrease in plasma volume and were slightly less pronounced than those previously observed in horses competing in the classical format speed and endurance test of 3-day event competitions. [2][3][4]6,7,9 In contrast to endurance horses, which may exhibit severe fluid and electrolyte losses, the changes in fluid and electrolyte balance associated with cross-country competitions observed in our study were rather small and therefore seem to be of little clinical relevance.…”

“…Disturbances of fluid, electrolyte, and acid‐base balance as a result of strenuous exercise during competitions are encountered commonly in athletic horses. Previous investigations have shown that significant fluid, electrolyte, and biochemical changes occur in horses competing in the endurance test of 3‐day events . However, these studies were conducted before modification of the classical competition format to the short format without “roads and tracks” and “steeplechase” phases.…”

“…in the endurance test of 3-day events. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] However, these studies were conducted before modification of the classical competition format to the short format without "roads and tracks" and "steeplechase" phases.…”

Analytical Performance Evaluation of the New GEM® Premier™ 5000 in Comparison to the Epoc® Blood Gas Analyzer in Horses

“…BGEA is especially indicated in patients in whom acid–base or electrolyte imbalances are suspected [ 1 , 2 , 3 ], such as in critically ill patients, where BGEA helps in monitoring patients and guides fluid support according to their needs. Likewise, the use of BGEA has been recommended to monitor exercising horses, as high-intensity exercise is associated with alterations in acid–base and electrolyte balance [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. In addition, arterial BGEA can be used to assess ventilation efficiency of the lungs [ 2 ], making it indicated for the monitoring of patients undergoing general anesthesia, patients suffering from cardiac or respiratory disease and critically ill foals [ 3 ].…”