RESUMEN
The effectiveness of 7% hypertonic saline solution (HSS) and 6% hypertonic bicarbonate solution (HBS) followed by intraruminal water administration for the treatment of acute rumen lactic acidosis (ARLA) has not been evaluated yet. The hypothesis of the study is that treatment with HBS causes a faster correction of imbalances and clinical recovery than treatment with HSS. ARLA was induced in six healthy mature female sheep with sucrose twice. The sheep received both treatment regimens in a cross over design. After 18â¯h of induction, rumen lavage was performed and IV infusion of 7% HSS (4â¯mL/kg BW) or 6% HBS (6.7â¯mL/kg BW) was done over 5â¯min, followed by intraruminal administration of water (8% BW). The solutions provided 4.8â¯mmol/kg BW of sodium. Physical and laboratory tests were performed for 168â¯h. Both treatments increased plasma volume. After HSS treatment, pH and HCO3- returned to baseline values at 144â¯h and BE at 168â¯h. With HBS treatment, pH returned to baseline at 24â¯h, and HCO3- and BE at 48â¯h. In both treatments, the ruminal motility and the maximum hay intake were restored at 96 and 120â¯h, respectively. In conclusion, administration of HSS or HBS followed by intraruminal water corrects dehydration and mild-to-moderate metabolic acidosis in sheep with ARLA. Treatment with HBS promoted a faster correction of metabolic acidosis and could be indicated for the most severe cases.
