Hematologic effects of isotonic physiologic serum, hypertonic saline 7.2% and hypertonic dextrose 50% solutions in healthy male dogs

Fluid therapy can be a useful method in order to save the lives. Although many studies have been done on the effect of isotonic and hypertonic solutions, little attention has paid to their effects in normal animals. Thus, we examined effects of isotonic saline, hypertonic saline 7.2% and hypertonic dextrose 50% solutions on some hematologic parameters in healthy dogs.

Four healthy male dogs (similar age and weight) were treated alternatively by normal saline (30 ml/kg), hypertonic saline (7.2%; 5 ml/kg) and hypertonic dextrose (50%; 5 ml/kg) solutions, or did not get any treatment (control group) and some hematologic parameters were measured at 0, 10, 30, 60, 120 and 240 minutes after rapid intravenous injection.

The most changes were observed in the initial period after injection of solutions but the extent and duration of the changes were different. The changes induced by hypertonic dextrose solution returned to normal level more rapidly than that of induced by normal saline and hypertonic saline. Thus changes were made by normal saline and hypertonic saline solution was more stable.

High dose normal saline and low dose hypertonic saline exhibit fairly similar effects on hematologic parameters. Therefore, use of hypertonic saline can be a good choice in emergency conditions due to rapid increase in blood volume and more stability.