Clinical and laboratory evaluation in horses submitted to intracecal fluid therapy administered in two different rates.
Authors: Ventura Lopes Carvalho Brenda, Neves de Souza Maria Carolina, Souza Moreira Nadyne, Parisi Marliere Julia, Mesquita Mota João Victor, Drumond Bento Lucas, de Castro Benitez Anaïs, Avanza Marcel Ferreira Bastos, Bertoni Cavalcanti Teixeira Raffaella, Barboza Silva José Ricardo, Viana Rinaldo Batista, Moura Monteiro Bruno, Maia Teixeira Pedro Paulo, Toribio Ramiro, Manso Filho Hélio Cordeiro, Dantas Ribeiro Filho José
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Intracecal Fluid Therapy Administration Rates in Horses Intracecal fluid therapy offers a valuable alternative when standard intravenous and nasogastric routes are unavailable—particularly in cases of oesophageal obstruction, gastric reflux, or altered upper gastrointestinal function—yet the optimal delivery parameters remain poorly characterised in the equine literature. Researchers administered a neutral hypotonic electrolyte solution directly into the caecum of fasted horses via two different infusion rates, monitoring clinical parameters and laboratory values to assess safety and efficacy of this delivery method. Whilst the specific numerical outcomes await full publication details, this investigation provides clinicians with evidence-based guidance on intracecal administration protocols, addressing a genuine gap in managing dehydrated or electrolyte-compromised horses when conventional routes prove impractical. For practitioners regularly encountering cases with compromised anterior gastrointestinal tracts, understanding the physiological tolerance and effectiveness of varied infusion rates could refine decision-making around route selection and fluid dosing strategies. The work underscores intracecal therapy as a legitimate third-line option worthy of consideration in complex cases, potentially improving outcomes in horses where therapeutic options would otherwise be severely limited.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Intracecal fluid therapy offers a practical fallback option when standard IV or nasogastric routes cannot be used in horses with gastrointestinal complications
- •This technique may be particularly valuable in cases where anterior GI dysfunction prevents normal fluid and electrolyte administration
- •Practitioners should familiarize themselves with intracecal administration protocols as part of their emergency fluid therapy toolkit
Key Findings
- •Intracecal fluid therapy represents a viable alternative route for electrolyte administration when intravenous and nasogastric routes are unavailable
- •Neutral hypotonic enteral electrolyte solutions can be successfully administered intracecally in horses with impaired anterior gastrointestinal function
- •Two different infusion rates were evaluated for intracecal electrolyte delivery in experimentally fasted horses