Fluid and Electrolyte Therapy for Colic Patients

Fluid and electrolyte therapy is integral to successful management of colic patients and includes i.v. fluid administration, enteral fluids administered via a nasogastric tube, and oral administration of hypertonic electrolyte slurries. Over the past few years, economic pressures have led to increased reliance on enteral fluid therapy for treatment of large colon impactions and displacements. Both experience and recent reports reveal a high success rate for this approach.

Fluid therapy basics
The principles of fluid therapy remain: 1) correct fluid deficits (over initial 12–24 h); 2) provide maintenance needs; and 3) replace ongoing losses. Maintenance requirements are commonly reported as 1–2 ml/kg bwt/h; however, the lower rate is usually adequate and will lead to a moderate diuresis in euhydrated horses.

What patients require fluid therapy?
Patients with colic signs usually have decreased feed and water intake and are generally assumed to be mildly (3–5%) dehydrated, even when signs of dehydration are not apparent. In addition to a water deficit (dehydration), horses often develop deficits in Na+, K+, and Cl-. [...]