Hypertonic saline

Food animal practitioners need practical and inexpensive methods for intravenous fluid administration. This article discusses the physiologic effects of small volume hypertonic saline solution in animals, and provides firm recommendations for using hypertonic saline in the treatment of dehydrated or endotoxemic calves and adult cattle. The new treatment protocol requires rapid intravenous administration of hypertonic saline solution and oral administration of water or electrolyte solution. This protocol provides a major advance in on-farm fluid therapy and has many applications in the treatment of dehydrated or endotoxemic cattle.