Clinical evaluation of sodium bicarbonate, sodium L-lactate, and sodium acetate for the treatment of acidosis in diarrheic calves.

Thirty-six dehydrated diarrheic neonatal calves were used to study the effects of various alkalinizing compounds on acid-base status, the changes in central venous pressure (CVP) in response to rapid IV infusion of large volumes of fluid, and the correlation of acid-base (base deficit) status, using a depression scoring system with physical determinants related to cardiovascular and neurologic function. Calves were allotted randomly to 4 groups (9 calves/group). Over a 4-hour period, each calf was given two 3.6-L volumes (the first 3.6 L given in the first hour) of a polyionic fluid alone (control group) or were given the polyionic fluid with sodium bicarbonate, sodium L-lactate, or sodium acetate added (50 mmol/L). Acid-base status, hematologic examination, and biochemical evaluations were made immediately before infusion of each fluid (at entry) and after 3.6, 4.8, and 7.2 L of fluid had been given. Compared with control values, bicarbonate, lactate, and acetate had significantly greater alkalinizing effects on pH (P less than 0.01) and base deficit (P less than 0.01) after 3.6, 4.8, and 7.2 L of fluid were given. Bicarbonate had the most rapid alkalinizing effect and induced greater changes in base deficit (P less than 0.01) than did acetate or lactate at each of the 3 administered fluid volumes evaluated. Acetate and lactate had similar alkalinizing effects on blood. Rehydration alone did not improve acid-base status. The CVP was elevated in 10 (28%) of the 36 calves after 1 hour of fluid (3.6 L) administration, but significant differences in body weight, PCV, and clinical condition or depression score at entry were not found between calves with elevated CVP and those with normal CVP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)