Desk Top Study of Electrolyte Products

Summary

1. A number of electrolyte solutions are recommended for cattle and sheep during transport.

Unfortunately, there is little information to justify the use of such electrolyte mixtures/solutions. This desktop study was commissioned by Meat and Livestock Australia, to evaluate the current electrolyte mixtures to determine their likely usefulness, when related to theoretical losses calculated during transport/shipping.

2. Determination of the molar concentrations of the major electrolytes, when electrolyte mixtures were constituted as indicated by the manufacturers, showed that all commercial electrolyte mixtures were very hypotonic. Sodium values range from 0.2 to 13 mmol/l, potassium from 0.8 to 4 mmol/l, chloride from 0 to 6.6 mmol/l and bicarbonate from 0.3 to 7.4 mmol/l. This can be contrasted with the normal composition of extracellular fluid where the sodium is around 140 mmol/l, potassium around 4 mmol/l, chloride around 100 mmol/l and bicarbonate around 30 mmol/l.

3. Estimated losses were calculated, based on 300 kg steers with 5 and10% dehydration, which is the more severe end of the dehydration spectrum. These calculations demonstrated that for 10% dehydration, sodium losses were likely to be in the range 800 to 4500 mmol and potassium losses in the range 2000 to 4000 mmol.

4. If steers drank 30 litres of any of the electrolyte solutions investigated in this desktop study, the amounts of electrolytes replaced (90 to 390 mmol of Na+; 0 to 180 mmol of Cl-; 30-120 mmol of K+; 6-200 mmol of HCO3- ) are in all cases, represent less than 5% of the body’s exchangeable electrolytes. Similarly, the use of electrolytes in the feed in the amounts recommended will have little effect on electrolyte balance.

5. Currently available commercial electrolyte solutions are likely to be of little value for the maintenance of normal body fluid electrolytes or glucose during shipping. It seems more important to focus on the ensuring adequate water is provided, prior to further studies on measured losses and determining whether cattle will drink more concentrated electrolyte solutions.