HydraLyteScouringCalf_062911.pdf
1
6/29/11
2:00 PM
Hydra-Lyte
®
Electrolyte replacement
and nutritional supplement for
young calves, lambs and foals.
Active Ingredients:
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Dextrose: Corrects hypoglycemia
and stimulates electrolyte and
fluid assimilation.
Glycine: Promotes intestinal absorption
of water and sodium. Spares protein
utilization for energy purposes.
Sodium Acetate: Rapidly metabolized source of energy.
Corrects acidosis without inducing milk clotting.
Potassium Chloride: Corrects hypokalemia. Restores
normal intracellular potassium levels.
Sodium Chloride: Corrects dehydration. Restores
normal sodium levels.
Sodium Citrate: Enhances fluid and electrolyte absorption.
Guaranteed Analysis
Sodium (min)
Sodium (max)
Potassium (min)
Chloride (min)
3.2%
3.6%
1.4%
1.8%
Ingredient
Sodium
Potassium
Acetate
Chloride
Citrate
Glycine
Glucose
Total Osmolarity
Total Metabolic
Energy
Per Liter
85 mEq
30 mEq
60 mEq
45 mEq
10 mEq
16 mM
368 mM
614 mM
296 KCal
Ordering Information
Product Name
Product Number
Hydra-Lyte
5.76 oz packet
0521
18 lb pail (25 gallons reconstituted) 0522
• Glucose-Rich Energy Corrects Hypoglycemia
• Sodium Acetate Corrects Acidosis
• Optimal Electrolyte Solution Restores Fluids
• Nutritional Balance Controls Weight Loss
Preparation:
Packet
Dissolve the contents of both compartments into two quarts of
warm water. Prepare solution just prior to use.
Pail
Dissolve one level measure of dextrose mixture in two quarts of
warm water. Add one slightly rounded measure of electrolyte
mixture. Mix well.
Supplementation Recommendations:
Administer two quarts, twice a day for initial two days by esophageal
probe, nursing bottle or pail. Administer one quart mixed with one
quart milk/milk replacer (1:1) twice a day on days three and four.
Although most animals can return to normal feedining on day five,
Hydra-Lyte supplementation can continue through day seven.
In cases where additional supplementation is needed (e.g. large
neonates), two quarts of Hydra-Lyte solution should be administered
four times to each calf/foal for the first two days. Continue with
the standard supplementation regimen for days three and four
as indicated above.
Lambs require approximately 25% of the stated volumes.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
KEEP IN A COOL, DRY PLACE
PROTECT FROM LIGHT
0611
LLOYD, Inc.
P.O. Box 130
Shenandoah, IA 51601
1-800-831-0004
www.lloydinc.com
HydraLyteScouringCalf_062911.pdf
2
6/29/11
2:00 PM
What to do for that scouring calf
Make sure that your electrolyte solution has
what diarrhea-drained calves actually need.
by Geof Smith, D.V.M.
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ALF diarrhea or “scours” continues to be a
major health problem. In fact, according to
the last National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) dairy study, more than 60
percent of all death loss in calves less than 2
months of age is a direct result of scours.
Diarrhea has several profound metabolic effects on the calf. They include dehydration, a drop
in the pH of its blood (referred to as an “acidosis”), and a loss of energy. Most calves with diarrhea are in a state of negative energy balance.
Electrolyte solutions are recommended for any
scouring calf that has, at least, a partially functional gastrointestinal tract. If you give oral electrolytes to a calf with no intestinal motility, the
fluid will just pool in the stomach resulting in
bloat and rumen acidosis. In general, it is safe to
give oral fluids to a calf with any sort of suckle reflex or that demonstrates any “chewing” action.
The quality of commercial oral electrolyte solutions varies greatly.
An oral electrolyte solution must satisfy the
following four requirements: supply enough sodium to correct dehydration, provide agents (either
glucose, acetate, propionate, or glycine) that facilitate absorption of sodium and water from the
intestine, provide an alkalinizing agent (acetate,
propionate, or bicarbonate) to correct acidosis,
and provide energy.
Let’s look at each of these factors in more detail:
• Sodium concentration. The loss of sodium
in feces of a calf with diarrhea is the main cause
of dehydration. Therefore, in order to improve
the calf’s hydration and restore proper blood flow,
you must supply sodium. The ideal sodium concentration is 90 to 130 micromoles per liter of solution (mM/L). I don’t recommend low sodium
oral electrolyte solutions . . . those containing less
than 90 mM/L. They cannot adequately resuscitate dehydrated calves. On the other hand, avoid
solutions containing extremely high concentrations of sodium (greater than 150 mM/L). They
likely would induce sodium toxicity (called “hypernatremia”) in calves.
• Amino acids. The calf must be able to absorb
the sodium you provide. Even in calves that have
diarrhea and intestinal damage, there are three
major pathways for sodium absorption: glucose,
volatile fatty acids (such as acetate or propionate),
and neutral amino acids (such as glycine). Glycine
is present in several commercially available oral
electrolyte solutions sold in the U.S.
• Osmolality. The term “osmolality” is a measure of the concentration of particles in a solution.
Commercial oral electrolyte solutions for oral use
in calves range from 300 mOsm/L (called “isotonic” because this is equal to the osmolality of blood)
to 750 mOsm/L (which would be considered very
“hypertonic” or concentrated). Simply stated, the
higher the osmolality of a product, the more concentrated it is or, generally, the more electrolytes
and energy (glucose) the product contains. However, too much concentration can cause problems.
Avoid any electrolyte solutions with values above
about 600 mOsm/L. They could worsen the damage that already has been done to the digestive
system. On the other hand, low osmolality fluids
(less than 350 mOsm/L) generally don’t have adequate energy because they have enough glucose.
Keep feeding milk or replacer . . .
The author is at the College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.
Milk or milk replacer contains much more energy than any type of oral electrolyte solution.
Therefore, it’s important not to stop milk feeding for any prolonged period. However, if milk is
to be withheld even for a single feeding, it is important to give a hypertonic oral electrolyte solution (500 to 600 mOsm/L). However, if oral electrolyte solutions are to be fed to a beef calf that
still is suckling or in conjunction with milk replacer in dairy calves, you can use an isotonic solution (300 mOsm/L).
• Alkalinizing agent. The blood in virtually
all calves with diarrhea becomes more acidic.
This largely is responsible for the symptoms we
see . . . loss of suckle reflex, depression, inability
to stand, and so forth.
Acetate, propionate, and bicarbonate are all
considered alkalinizing agents. Bicarbonate is
commonly found in oral electrolyte solutions available in the U.S. Acetate and propionate are commonly a part of oral electrolyte solutions sold in
Europe but are only found in one product sold in
the U.S. (Hydra-Lyte, sold by Vet-A-Mix).
Recent research has shown that electrolyte solutions containing acetate and propionate are
preferred over bicarbonate for several reasons:
• Acetate and propionate are volatile fatty
acids and can aid sodium absorption in the calf’s
small intestine, whereas bicarbonate does not.
• Acetate and propionate do not increase abomasal pH, whereas bicarbonate does not.
• Acetate and propionate inhibit the growth
of Salmonella species.
• Acetate and propionate produce energy when
metabolized, whereas bicarbonate does not.
Analysis of several oral electrolyte solutions commercially available in the U.S.
Sodium
(mM/L)
Amino
acid
Osmolality
(mOsm/L)
Alkalinizing
Agent
Product A
80
Glycine
315
None
Sodium concentration is too low; no
alkalinizing agent present — not a good choice.
Product B
184
Glycine
577
Bicarbonate
110 mM/L
Sodium concentration too high — might cause
sodium toxicity in calves.
Product C
142
None
731
Bicarbonate
86 mM/L
Although this product could be used in calves, it
has a a very high osmolality (hypertonic) and may
worsen diarrhea.
Product D
105
Glycine
739
Bicarbonate
80 mM/L
Osmolality is too high which can worsen diarrhea.
High osmolality solutions also slow stomach
(abomasal) emptying and can lead to bloat.
Product E
90
Glycine
377
Bicarbonate
25 mM/L
This product could be used in calves but would
have a very weak alkalinizing ability (bicarbonate
concentration is very low).
Product F
90
Glycine
614
Acetate
60 mM/L
Very good oral electrolyte solution for use in calves.
50
Comments
Several pathogenic bacteria are killed at low
pHs. For example, both E. coli and Salmonella
are killed at a pH around 3.0 and begin to multiply at a pH above 5.5. Normally, the stomach
(abomasum) maintains a very low (acidic) pH.
This is critical for reducing the number of pathogenic bacteria reaching the small intestine and
adding to the resistance to intestinal colonization by bacteria. More simply stated, the calf
needs to maintain a low (more acidic) abomasal
pH to avoid infection and clinical disease.
Recent research has shown oral electrolyte solutions containing bicarbonate induce a marked
abomasal alkalinization. In other words, they
raise the pH in the abomasum above 5.5 for a
prolonged period of time. This effect is not observed when using acetate-based oral electrolyte
solutions. Therefore, abomasal and small intestinal alkalinization due to bicarbonate-containing electrolytes may promote bacterial growth
and actually prolong or worsen the diarrhea. Even
with the possible drawbacks associated with using
bicarbonate, it still is critical that your oral electrolyte solution contain an alkalinizing agent.
While they may not be ideal, products containing bicarbonate have been used effectively for
years. However, there are several products that
do not contain any of the three alkalinizing agents
listed above and should not be used in calves.
What about fiber?
Some people believe adding dietary fiber in the
form of psyllium (or dialine) to oral electrolyte
solutions would enhance nutrient absorption from
the digestive tract and improve glucose absorption. The idea is that this would slow the rate at
which the stomach (abomasum) empties. However, research has shown that the addition of
psyllium actually causes less glucose absorption.
People sometimes like oral electrolyte solutions
that contain psyllium (often referred to as “electrolyte gels”). That’s because the manure will thicken somewhat, and it appears the diarrhea is resolving. However, these products actually reduce
the calf’s energy levels and are not recommended.
The table shows an analysis of six popular products. As you can see, not all of these products
would be ideal. In fact, a couple would not be recommended at all. Work closely with your veterinarian to select the product that is most appropriate for your herd.
In general, I like to “add” an oral electrolyte solution as an extra meal while still feeding milk or
replacer. For example, if you feed milk twice a
day, administer an oral electrolyte in the middle
of the day between milk feedings. Or, if the calf is
initially found to be depressed with diarrhea and
refuses milk, give oral electrolytes, but then milk
should be resumed at the next scheduled feeding. Even “high energy” oral electrolyte solutions
are not a substitute for milk.
In general, calves that cannot stand or cannot
lift their head have a severe drop in blood pH
(acidosis) that is best corrected with intravenous
fluids. Many times oral fluids will work too slowly to save these calves. Either call your veterinarian to treat these calves, or work with them
to come up with protocols for intravenous fluids
you administer.
Used by permission from the January 25, 2006, issue of Hoard’s Dairyman.
Copyright 2006 by W.D. Hoard & Sons Company.
HOARD’S DAIRYMAN