title: Evaluation of an oral electrolyte solution for treatment of mild to moderate dehydration in dogs with hemorrhagic diarrhea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the safety and efficacy of an electrolyte solution for oral administration (OES) for the correction of mild to moderate dehydration associated with hemorrhagic diarrhea in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nonrandomized, noncontrolled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  20 dogs that had hemorrhagic diarrhea with < 3 episodes of vomiting.
  
  
  METHODS
  All dogs underwent testing for parvovirus infection, were given maropitant citrate to control emesis, and were offered an OES. Intravenous crystalloid fluid administration was performed when dogs refused the OES or had vomiting, a 5% increase in PCV, 5% decrease in body weight, serum creatinine or BUN concentration higher than at admission, or clinically important alterations in blood electrolyte or serum glucose concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  13 (65%) dogs voluntarily consumed the OES; 7 (35%) dogs refused the OES and received a balanced electrolyte solution IV instead. All 13 dogs in the OES group consumed the solution ≤ 5 hours after hospital admission. Eight and 16 hours after admission, PCV and serum total protein and BUN concentrations were significantly lower than at hospital admission in the OES group, whereas no significant changes were identified in venous blood pH, base excess, and concentrations of sodium, potassium, chloride, ionized calcium, ionized magnesium, and lactate. The cost of treatment was significantly less for the OES group than for the IV treated group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rehydration therapy with an OES was effective and safe in dogs with mild to moderate dehydration associated with hemorrhagic diarrhea. Potential benefits of this treatment approach for gastroenteritis in dogs, compared with traditional IV fluid administration, include lower owner-related veterinary costs and decreased staff time associated with treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies-Philadelphia, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. reineke@vet.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Erica L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Reineke
authors.forename: Karie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Walton
authors.forename: Cynthia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Otto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003681:Dehydration / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male