Effects of the administration of different buffered balanced crystalloid solutions on acid-base and electrolyte status in dogs with gastric dilation-volvulus syndrome: a randomized clinical trial

Objective: To investigate the effect of three different buffered balanced crystalloid solutions
on acid–base status and electrolyte concentrations in dogs with gastric dilation–volvulus
(GDV) syndrome.
Methods: The study design was a prospective, randomized clinical trial of 40 dogs. The dogs
were randomly assigned to one of three groups according to the fluid used: Hartmann’s
solution (H), Plasmalyte (PL), and Ringerfundin (RF). Hemoglobin, albumin, lactate,
electrolyte, and acid–base parameters were determined before fluid administration (T0) and at
the end of surgery (T1). Results were assessed by one-way ANOVA, Fisher’s exact test, the
Wilcoxon signed-rank test, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and a linear mixed-effect regression
model. A significance level of 0.05 was used in all analyses.
Results: Bicarbonate and base excess (BE) levels increased and chloride concentration
decreased in the PL group; in contrast, strong ion difference apparent (SIDapp) decreased and
chloride concentration increased in the RF group. The mixed-effect model confirmed a
significant interaction between the type of solution and time on the changes in bicarbonate, BE,
anion gap (AG), SIDapp, and chloride levels.
Clinical significance: Significantly different effects in acid–base parameters were observed
in dogs after intravenous administration of H, PL, and RF. However, clinical significance of these changes is lacking, requiring further investigation in a larger randomized controlled
clinical trial.