title: Utilization of volatile fatty acids and improvement of fluid therapy for treatment of dehydration in diarrheic calves.
abstract: Oral glucose-electrolytes solutions have been first developed for treatment of watery diarrhea in situations where resources are limited. However, oral therapy proved by no means to be a limited or alternative form of treatment and it must be now considered as the treatment of choice for acute diarrhea of practically all etiologies. Furthermore, it must be pointed out that, whatever the additional treatments (antibiotics essentially), oral therapy and suppression of milk feeding have to be effected as soon as possible. Glucose-facilited sodium transport is one of the main processes involved in efficiency of oral formulations. However, recent investigations in our laboratory have shown that acetate (and propionate) brought about a substantial stimulation of sodium and water absorption in the small intestine. This effect was all the more interesting since it was observed throughout the small intestine, in contrast to solutes such as glucose, aminoacids or chloride. Furthermore, acetate affords the possibility of having a more physiological Na/Cl ratio, for correction of acidosis. Besides, acetate may display a delayed alkalinizing effect after metabolization. Propionate also exhibits interesting properties on sodium absorption and as glucogenic substrate after absorption. Field evaluation have demonstrated the efficiency of oral formulations including acetate and propionate (treatment of more than 100 000 diarrheic calves), with generally more than 95% success. Further progress should be expected from improvement in energy supply from oral formulations. The problem is at present the matter of investigations, particularly by utilization of lactose in carefully balanced electrolytes formulations.
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D003681:Dehydration / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D011422:Propionates / Q000494:pharmacology; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D011422:Propionates