Equine fluid therapy

- The most-common acid base disturbance in the adult horse is metabolic acidosis due to poor Perfusion, resulting in anaerobic respiration and lactate production. This occurs most frequently in conjunction with hypovolemia and endotoxemia, and should be treated with fluid resuscitation using polyionic fluids. Metabolic acidosis can also occur secondary to hyponatremia – for example, in association with colitis, peritonitis or GI torsion – and should be treated with normal or hypertonic saline.

- Metabolic alkalosis occurs in association with hypochloremia – secondary to high volume gastric reflux, which should be treated with normal saline, and hypoalbuminemia, which should be treated with colloids.

- Respiratory acidosis occurs in conjunction with pneumonia and hypoventilation, while respiratory alkalosis occurs in conjunction with hyperventilation due to pain. In these situations, the underlying respiratory problem should be addressed.