Four consecutive 6-hour urine sample collections were performed on 7 healthy adult Holstein cows fed a diet of coastal Bermuda hay with ad libitum water consumption. Urine (via indwelling urinary catheter) and venous blood samples were collected at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours. Total 24-hour urine production for the 7 cows ranged from 4,515 to 7,130 ml/d (mean +/- SD, 5,633 +/- 946 ml/d) or 0.02 to 0.04 ml/kg of body weight/d (mean +/- SD, 0.03 +/- 0.007 ml/kg/d). Renal clearance (C) of creatinine (Cr), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) varied significantly (P less than 0.05) among individuals, but did not vary significantly among the four 6-hour collection periods. Clearance of chloride (Cl) and phosphorous (P) did not vary significantly either among individuals or among the four 6-hour periods. Clearance of potassium (K) varied significantly (P less than 0.05) among individuals and among the four 6-hour periods. Creatinine clearance was significantly (P less than 0.01) correlated with CCl, CCa, CP, and CMg when all data were considered. Significant (P less than 0.05) correlations were also found between CCl, and CK, CCa, CP, and CMg; between CCa and CP and CMg; and between CP and CMg. Fractional excretion (FE) of Na, K, Cl, Ca, P, and Mg did not vary significantly among the four 6-hour periods. Fractional excretion of Na, Ca, and Mg (P less than 0.01) and K and P (P less than 0.05) varied significantly within individuals among the 6-hour periods. Mean FE values, calculated by averaging values for each of the 4 collection periods for all 7 cows, ranged from 0.05 to 0.78% for FENa; 129.33 to 670.40% for FEK; 1.23 to 6.23% for FECl; 0.17 to 4.44% for FECa; 0.36 to 1.14 for FEP; and 4.96 to 11.73% for FEMg. Linear relationships between the clearance and fractional excretion of electrolytes were observed on base-10 logarithmically transformed data for Na, Ca, P, and Mg. Linear relationship was not found between CK and FEK or between CCl and FECl.

The effects of single IV injections of sodium bicarbonate (0.5 mEq/kg of body weight, 1 mEq/kg, 2 mEq/kg, and 4 mEq/kg) on serum osmolality, serum sodium, chloride, and potassium concentrations, and venous blood gas tensions in 6 healthy cats were monitored for 180 minutes. Serum osmolality increased and remained significantly (P less than 0.05) increased for 120 minutes in cats given 4 mEq of sodium bicarbonate/kg. Serum sodium was increased significantly (P less than 0.05) for 30 minutes in cats given 4 mEq of sodium bicarbonate/kg. Serum sodium decreased and remained significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased for 120 minutes in cats given 1 g of 20% mannitol/kg, and serum osmolality was significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased at 30 and 60 minutes. Serum chloride decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) for 10 minutes in cats given 1 mEq of sodium bicarbonate/kg, and was significantly decreased for 30 minutes in cats given 2 mEq and 4 mEq of sodium bicarbonate/kg. Serum chloride decreased and remained significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased for 30 minutes in cats given 1 g of 20% mannitol/kg. Serum sodium and serum osmolality did not change significantly (P less than 0.05) in cats given 4 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride/kg. Serum potassium decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) for 10 minutes in cats given 1 mEq of sodium bicarbonate/kg, and for 120 minutes in cats given 2 mEq/kg or 4 mEq/kg. There was a significantly (P less than 0.05) greater decrease in serum potassium that lasted for 30 minutes after giving sodium bicarbonate at the dosage of 4 mEq/kg, compared with other dosages given. Serum potassium did not change significantly in cats given 1 g of 20% mannitol/kg, but was significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased 10 minutes following 4 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride/kg. Sodium bicarbonate infusion significantly (P less than 0.05) increased venous blood pH and plasma bicarbonate concentration in all cats. The magnitude and duration of these changes were significantly greater following administration of sodium bicarbonate at dosages of 2 mEq/kg and 4 mEq/kg. Significant (P less than 0.05) increases in PCO2 were associated only with the highest dosage of sodium bicarbonate (4 mEq/kg). Base excess increased significantly (P less than 0.05) in all cats following sodium bicarbonate infusion. There were significantly (P less than 0.05) greater increases in base excess lasting 30 minutes following administration of sodium bicarbonate at dosages of 2 mEq/kg and 4 mEq/kg. Significant (P less than 0.05) changes in venous blood pH, PCO2, or bicarbonate were not observed in cats given 4 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride/kg, or in cats given 1 g of 20% mannitol/kg. Base excess was significantly (P less than 0.05) increased for 10 minutes in cats given 1 g of 20% mannitol/kg. As expected, 4 mEq of sodium bicarbonate/kg induced the most time- and dosage-related effects. Caution should be used when administering sodium bicarbonate IV to cats at dosages greater than 2 mEq/kg, because of the potential for important acid-base and electrolyte changes.

The respiratory, renal, hematologic, and serum biochemical effects of hypertonic saline solution (HSS) treatment were examined in 12 endotoxic, pentobarbital-anesthetized calves (8 to 20 days old). Escherichia coli endotoxin (055:B5) was infused IV at a rate of 0.1 microgram/kg of body weight over 30 minutes. Endotoxin induced severe respiratory effects, with marked hypoxemia and increases in arterial-alveolar O2 gradient (P[A-a]O2), physiologic shunt fraction (Qs/Qt), and physiologic dead space to tidal volume ratio (Vd/Vt). Oxygen consumption was decreased, despite an increase in the systemic O2 extraction ratio. Peak effects were observed at the end of endotoxin infusion. The renal response to endotoxemia was characterized by a decrease in free-water reabsorption and osmotic clearance, as well as a decrease in sodium and phosphorus excretion. Endotoxemia induced leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hyperphosphatemia, hypoglycemia, acidemia, and increased serum alkaline phosphatase concentrations. Calves were treated with HSS (2,400 mosm/L of NaCl, 4 ml/kg, n = 4) or an equivalent sodium load of isotonic saline solution (ISS; 300 mosm/L of NaCl, 32 ml/kg, n = 4) 90 minutes after the end of endotoxin administration. Both solutions were infused over a 4- to 6-minute period. A control group (n = 4) was not treated. Infusion of HSS or ISS failed to induce a significant change in PaO2, P(A-a)O2, (Qs/Qt), (Vd/Vt), or oxygen consumption. Both solutions increased systemic oxygen delivery to above preendotoxin values. Hypertonic saline infusion induced significant (P < 0.05) increases in serum Na and Cl concentrations and osmolality, whereas ISS induced a significant increase in serum Cl concentration and a significant decrease in serum phosphorus concentration. Both HSS and ISS reversed the endotoxin-induced changes in renal function, with increases in free water reabsorption and osmotic clearance, as well as increases in sodium and phosphorus excretion. Sodium retention was greater following HSS administration. On the basis of these findings, hypertonic saline solutions can be rapidly and safely administered to endotoxic calves.

To evaluate underlying causes of calcium oxalate urolithiasis, 24-hour excretion of urine metabolites was measured in 6 Miniature Schnauzers that formed calcium oxalate (CaOx) uroliths during periods when they were fed a standard diet and during periods when food was withheld. Serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D also were evaluated. Serum calcium concentrations were normal in all 6 affected Miniature Schnauzers; however, during diet consumption, mean 24-hour urinary excretion of calcium was significantly (P = 0.025) higher than calcium excretion when food was withheld. In 1 dog, urinary calcium excretion was lower during the period of food consumption, compared with the period when food was withheld. Compared with clinically normal Beagles, Miniature Schnauzers that formed CaOx uroliths excreted significantly greater quantities of calcium when food was consumed (P = 0.0004) and when food was withheld (P = 0.001). Miniature Schnauzers that formed CaOx uroliths excreted significantly less oxalate than clinically normal Beagles during fed (P = 0.028) and nonfed (P = 0.004) conditions. Affected Miniature Schnauzers also excreted abnormally high quantities of uric acid. Excretion of citrate was not different between Miniature Schnauzers with CaOx urolithiasis and clinically normal Beagles. In 5 of 6 Miniature Schnauzers with CaOx urolithiasis, concentrations of serum parathyroid hormone were similar to values from age- and gender-matched Miniature Schnauzers without uroliths. The concentration of serum parathyroid hormone in 1 dog was > 4 times the mean concentration of clinically normal Miniature Schnauzers. Mean serum concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in Miniature Schnauzers with calcium oxalate urolithiasis were similar to concentrations of clinically normal Miniature Schnauzers.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of withdrawal of lactose from the diet for 72 hours on lactase activity in the jejunal mucosa of conventionally raised calves. The descending portion of the duodenum of six Holstein calves < 24 hours old was cannulated. The calves were fed milk except on days 5, 6 and 7 when they were given the same volume of an electrolyte solution. Sequential biopsy specimens of the proximal jejunal mucosa were obtained for three weeks and the lactase activity determined. Lactase activity was highest on day 1 and a trend toward decreased lactase activity from birth until three weeks was observed. Mean lactase activity was significantly (p < 0.05) higher for days 1, and 3 compared to days 9, 13 and 17. The withdrawal of milk and replacement by an electrolyte solution during three days had no significant effect on jejunal mucosal lactase activity in neonatal calves.

Twenty-four-hour excretion of urine metabolites was determined in 33 clinically normal Beagles during periods of consumption of a standard diet and when food was withheld. The goal was to determine normal canine values for urine analytes incriminated in the genesis of calcium oxalate uroliths. During periods when dogs consumed food, daily urinary excretion of calcium, uric acid, sodium, potassium, magnesium, ammonium, and hydrogen ions were significantly (P = 0.0004, 0.0038, O.001, 0.0001, 0.0004, 0.0001, and 0.024, respectively) higher than when food was withheld. Urinary excretion of phosphorus, oxalate, and citrate were not significantly different between samples obtained during periods of food consumption and when food was withheld. Male dogs excreted significantly higher quantities of urine oxalate than females during fed (P = 0.003) and nonfed (P = 0.003) conditions. When food was withheld, urinary uric acid excretion was significantly higher in males than females (P = 0.01). Females excreted significantly more urine calcium than males when food was withheld (P = 0.003). Our results indicated that dietary conditions influence the quantity of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and uric acid excreted in the urine of clinically normal dogs; therefore, dietary conditions should be considered when measuring the concentration of these analytes in urine.