Evaluation of a glutamine-containing oral rehydration solution for the treatment of calf diarrhoea using an Escherichia coli model.
A high-calorie oral rehydration solution (ORS) with glutamine (n=11) was more effective in correcting plasma, extracellular fluid and blood volume than solutions without (one WHO-type solution, n=6, and two high-glucose but glutamine-free solutions, n=7, n=12). It was the only solution to improve plasma volume significantly within 48 h and sustain the improvement throughout treatment; similarly, it was the only solution to correct packed-cell volume within 48 h and sustain the benefit to the end of treatment. At the end of treatment, the glutamine-treated calves were the only ones to avoid a significant weight loss compared with their pre-diarrhoeic values. The crucial difference between this solution and those used with glutamine previously is that it gave significant nutritional support whereas WHO type solutions did not. It also had more favourable effects on hyponatraemia and metabolic acidosis than a standard ORS. Use of a high-calorie ORS for 4 days (rather than 2 days of 50:50 admixture with milk replacer) brought additional beneficial effects on blood glucose and body weight.
Brooks
H W
HW
Department of Farm Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery, Royal Veterinary College (University of London), Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK.
White
D G
DG
Wagstaff
A J
AJ
Michell
A R
AR
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005973:Glutamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018529:Nutritional Support; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000737:chemistry*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015532:Rehydration Solutions; D005973:Glutamine