INTRODUCTIONThe fluid therapy is indicated for the treatment of diseases that determine dehydration and electrolyte and acid base imbalances and is; therefore, commonly used in ruminants medicine, especially in calves. The goals of the replacement of fluids and electrolytes are the correction of present imbalances, the restoration of blood volume and adequate tissue perfusion and the treatment of shock in animals (CONSTABLE, 2003).Fluid and electrolyte replacement can be performed by enteral hydration (EH) or by intravenous infusion (IV). The EH has advantages over IV and should be the modality of choice whenever possible (BERCHTOLD, 2009). It is easier and cheaper, and should be considered equally effective, whenever the gastrointestinal transit is present and dehydration is not marked (CONSTABLE, 2003).Diarrhea is the main disease that affects neonatal calves and can cause mortality due to the imbalances that are installed (SMITH, 2009). Economic losses are related to the death and to additional costs with drugs, labor and veterinary care. When animals survive, the losses occur due to low performance and reduction in the daily body weight gain (MILLEMANN, 2009).In the treatment of diarrheic calves the therapy with oral electrolyte solutions (OES) is the most important measure. The goal is to correct the dehydration, to reverse the hyponatremia and the
CLINIC AND SURGERY