Kopper JJ, Bolger ME, Kogan CJ, Schott HC. Outcome and complications in horses administered sterile or non-sterile fluids intravenously.
J Vet Intern Med 2019;
33:2739-2745. [PMID:
31609037 PMCID:
PMC6872628 DOI:
10.1111/jvim.15631]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Obtaining commercial fluids for intravenous administration (IVF) was challenging during a recent shortage. This necessitated use of custom‐made non‐sterile fluids for intravenous administration (JUGs) in some hospitals. There are no studies comparing outcome of horses treated with JUG versus IVF and limited information is available about adverse effects of JUGs.
Hypothesis/Objectives
To evaluate death, complications, blood pH, and plasma electrolyte concentrations of horses that received JUG versus IVFs.
Animals
One hundred eighty‐six horses that received IVFs and 37 that received JUGs.
Methods
A retrospective review of medical records was performed to identify horses that received IVFs or JUGs during hospitalization. Information including survival to discharge, complications (fever [>38.5°C], jugular vein phlebitis/thrombosis, arrhythmia, or laminitis), blood pH, and plasma electrolyte concentrations were obtained.
Results
There was no difference (P = .67) in survival to discharge for horses that received JUGs (78%) compared to horses that received IVFs (87%). Horses that received JUGs were more likely to develop a jugular vein complication (3 of 37 versus 1 of 186, odds ratio 17.2 [95% CI 1.9‐389.8], P = .04). Horses that received JUGs were more likely to have electrolyte abnormalities consistent with hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis.
Conclusion and Clinical Importance
Veterinarians using JUGs should obtain informed client consent because of a potential increased risk of jugular vein complications. Chloride content of JUGs should be considered to limit development of hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis.
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