Fluid therapy for neonatal foals

Foal Diarrhea

“…59 Hypertonic solutions are not commonly used in foals, because foals may not be tolerant of large sodium loads. 60 Synthetic colloids can be used as 3-mL/kg to 5-mL/kg boluses if needed. 60 Synthetic colloids have been associated with renal failure and a worse outcome in human medicine and their use is currently questioned in horses as well.…”

“…60 Synthetic colloids can be used as 3-mL/kg to 5-mL/kg boluses if needed. 60 Synthetic colloids have been associated with renal failure and a worse outcome in human medicine and their use is currently questioned in horses as well. An attempt should be made to correct hypovolemia without synthetic colloids if deemed feasible.…”

“…Hyponatremia can be partially corrected by increasing the plasma sodium concentration by 2 mEq/L to 4 mEq/L to abolish seizure activity. 60 Hypokalemia is treated with empiric supplementation of fluids with 10 mEq/L to 40 mEq/L of potassium chloride and it depends on the existing plasma potassium concentration. Hyperkalemia can be empirically treated with administration of 20 mL/kg of 0.9% sodium chloride containing calcium (eg, 0.4 mEq/L to 1 mL/kg of 23% calcium borogluconate) and 4 mg/kg/min to 8 mg/kg/min of dextrose.…”

“…Hyperkalemia can be empirically treated with administration of 20 mL/kg of 0.9% sodium chloride containing calcium (eg, 0.4 mEq/L to 1 mL/kg of 23% calcium borogluconate) and 4 mg/kg/min to 8 mg/kg/min of dextrose. 60 Isotonic sodium bicarbonate (1.3%) can be used with added dextrose as an alternative treatment. In refractory and severe cases of hyperkalemia, insulin treatment can be tried.…”

“…The rate can be increased to 6 mg/kg/min to 8 mg/kg/min if needed. 60,61 Glucose should be administered separately from fluid therapy if possible, using a fluid pump. This allows adjusting fluid and glucose therapy separately.…”