Treatment of animal diarrhoea

A veterinary composition useful for treatment of energy depletion, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in diarrhoeic neonatal animals consisting essentially of PA1 (a) glucose in an amount sufficient to produce a concentration level of from greater than 200 nM to 250 mM when in an aqueous solution, PA0 (b) one or more sodium salts in an amount sufficient to produce a sodium ion concentration level of from 60 mM to 120 mM when in an aqueous solution, and PA0 (c) one or more chloride salts in an amount sufficient to produce a chloride ion concentration level of 50 mM to 90 mM when in an aqueous solution.

The present invention relates to a method of treatment of animal diarrhoea 
and for veterinary composition useful therefor. 
Acute diarrhoeal diseases in animals particularly neonatal calves are 
amongst the most important causes of morbidity and mortality. Diarrhoea 
results in the loss from the animal of large quantities of water rich in 
bicarbonate, sodium, chloride and potassium. The animal thus becomes 
dehydrated, and the blood becomes more acidic. Continued feeding of milk 
to diarrhoeic neonatal animals may worsen the diarrhoea. 
It is known that certain substances such as glucose, galactose and some 
amino acids (e.g. glycine) are actively absorbed from the intestine into 
the bloodstream and that simultaneous enhancement of water absorption 
occurs with the uptake of these substances. Glucose is the most readily 
available of these substances. Accordingly it is known in the prior art to 
stop feeding milk to calves suffering from diarrhoea and treat them with 
solutions containing glucose at a concentration required for sufficient 
water absorption (110-160 mM glucose). It is also known that sodium 
(Na.sup.+) and chloride (Cl.sup.-) are required for maximum absorption of 
glucose and water across epithelial cells. Accordingly it is also known to 
treat animal diarrhoea with electrolytes to increase water absorption and 
to replace losses of these substances in the faeces. 
Rotavirus and cryptosporidia which cause direct epithelial damage and 
result in malabsorption diarrhoea are the most common causes of calf 
diarrhoea worldwide. In these infections malnutrition is as much, if not 
more of a consideration than dehydration. Moreover, energy requirements of 
neonatal calves kept outdoors in winter or spring are likely to be high. 
Other species such as pigs are highly susceptible to death from reduced 
energy intake in the neonatal period when diarrhoea is common. Recent 
investigations have shown that prior treatments for neonatal diarrhoea may 
lead to animals becoming severely hypoglycaemic and moribund. 
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to overcome or at 
least alleviate, some of the difficulties and deficiencies related to the 
prior art. 
The present invention thus relates to the use of the glucose/sodium/water 
intestinal transport system. The invention describes the use of 
concentration ranges of glucose, sodium and chloride to provide for 
adequate energy intake while maintaining effective rehydration properties. 
The present invention will now be more fully described with reference to 
cattle particularly neonatal calves. It should be understood however that 
whilst the present invention is of particular advantage in the treatment 
of such animals it is in no way restricted thereto. 
Accordingly, in a first aspect of the present invention there is Provided a 
veterinary composition useful for treatment of energy depletion, 
dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in diarrhoeic neonatal animals 
consisting essentially of 
(a) glucose in an amount sufficient to produce a concentration level of 
from greater than 200 mM to 250 mM when in an aqueous solution, 
(b) one or more sodium salts in an amount sufficient to produce a sodium 
ion concentration level of from 60 mM to 120 mM when in an aqueous 
solution, and 
(c) one or more chloride salts in an amount sufficient to produce a 
chloride ion concentration level of 50 mM to 90 mM when in an aqueous 
solution. 
In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a veterinary 
composition useful for treatment of energy depletion, dehydration and 
electrolyte imbalance in diarrhoeic neonatal animals consisting 
essentially of 
(a) glucose in an amount sufficient to produce a concentration level of 
from greater than 200 mM to 250 mM when in an aqueous solution, 
(b) one or more sodium salts in an amount sufficient to produce a sodium 
ion concentration level of from 60 mM to 120 mM when in an aqueous 
solution, 
(c) one or more chloride salts in an amount sufficient to produce a 
chloride ion concentration level of 50 mM to 90 mM when in an aqueous 
solution, and 
(d) one or more bicarbonate salts in an amount sufficient to produce a 
bicarbonate ion concentration level of 20 mM to 40 mM when in an aqueous 
solution. 
The veterinary composition according to the present invention may be in 
oral dosage form. 
The veterinary composition according to the present invention may be in 
solid or powder form. The veterinary composition according to the present 
invention may be in the form of a solution. An aqueous solution is 
preferred. Desirably the composition may be provided in a solid or powder 
form for transport. The end user may then form the composition into an 
aqueous solution. 
The amount of glucose which may be included in the composition should 
provide sufficient energy for survival of scouring calves in all 
Prevailing weather conditions. The minimum energy requirement will vary. 
However at least 50% of the normal maintenance energy requirements of the 
neonatal calf should be provided. 
Accordingly, a concentration level of greater than approximately 200 mM 
glucose in aqueous solution form is required taking into consideration the 
appetitie of neonatal calves. It will be understood that the concentration 
of glucose should be as high as possible to provide the calf with 
sufficient nutrition. However the level of glucose is limited as a 
complicating fermentative diarrhoea may occur if too great a level of 
glucose is used. Glucose concentrations of up to 250 mM may be safely used 
if sufficient sodium is also provided. The glucose concentration should 
not be beyond an upper limit of approximately 250 mM. 
Glucose may be present in the form of anhydrous dextrose or dextrose 
monohydrate. In order to achieve the concentrations specified above, 
dextrose monohydrate may be present in the veterinary compositions in 
amounts of from approximately 39 gm to 50 gm per liter of the final 
aqueous solution. 
The anhydrous dextrose may be present in amounts of from approximately 35 
gm to 45 gm per litre of the final aqueous solution. 
Sodium (Na.sup.+) ions are included in the solution primarily to couple 
with glucose to draw water from the gut lumen into the body and secondly 
to replace increased sodium losses in diarrhoeic faeces. Sodium ions are 
thus very important in minimising dehydration, one of the principle 
effects of diarrhoea, and in maximizing glucose uptake thus preventing 
hypoglycemia and fermentative diarrhoea. A minimum concentration of 60 mM 
sodium is required for maximum glucose and water absorption from a 200-250 
mM glucose solution. Faecal sodium (Na.sup.+) losses in diarrhoeic calves 
are usually in the order of 40 mM although they may be as high as 89 to 
137 mM. Accordingly, the concentration of sodium ions in the veterinary 
composition may vary from approximately 60 to 120 mM sodium ions. 
Chloride (Cl.sup.-) ions are also included in the solution to promote water 
absorption and to replace faecal losses. Chloride ion losses are 
understood in general to parallel those of sodium ions. It will be 
understood that full replacement of chloride ions is not considered 
essential. Chloride must be present as the major anion or maximum water 
absorption however part of the chloride ions replacement may be 
substituted by other anionic electrolytes as discussed below. Accordingly, 
a suitable range of chloride ion concentration in the veterinary 
composition according to the present invention may be from approximately 
50 to 90 mM in aqueous solution form. 
The preferred source of sodium ions and chloride ions is sodium chloride 
(NaCl). However other sources of such ions may be used. 
Sodium chloride (NaCl) may be present in the veterinary compositions in 
amounts of from approximately 3.5 gm per liter to 5.2 gm per liter of the 
final aqueous solution. 
As stated above, the veterinary composition according to the present 
invention may further include 
(a) glucose in an amount sufficient to produce a concentration level of 
from greater than 200 mM to 250 mM when in an aqueous solution, 
(b) one or more sodium salts in an amount sufficient to produce a sodium 
ion concentration level of from 60 mM to 120 mM when in an aqueous 
solution, 
(c) one or more chloride salts in an amount sufficient to produce a 
chloride ion concentration level of 50 mM to 90 mM when in an aqueous 
solution, and 
(d) one or more bicarbonate salts in an amount sufficient to produce a 
bicarbonate ion concentration level of 20 mM to 40 mM when in an aqueous 
solution. 
Bicarbonate ions may be introduced into the composition as sodium 
bicarbonate (NaHCO.sub.3). Bicarbonate ions may be of benefit to animals 
which are in an advanced state of acidosis when treatment has commenced. A 
composition containing 40 mM bicarbonate has been found to be useful in 
diarrhoeic calves without affecting palatability. 
Bicarbonate ion as sodium bicarbonate (NaCHO.sub.3) may be present in an 
amount of from approximately 1.7 gm to 3.4 gm per liter of the final 
aqueous solution. 
As stated above, the veterinary composition according to the present 
invention may further include 
(a) glucose in an amount sufficient to produce a concentration level of 
from greater than 200 mM to 250 mM when in an aqueous solution, 
(b) one or more sodium salts in an amount sufficient to produce a sodium 
ion concentration level of from 60 mM to 120 mM when in an aqueous 
solution, 
(c) one or more chloride salts in an amount sufficient to produce a 
chloride ion concentration of 50 mM to 90 mM when in an aqueous solution, 
(d) one or more bicarbonate salts in an amount sufficient to produce a 
bicarbonate in concentration level of 20 to 40 mM when in an aqueous 
solution, and 
(e) one or more citrate salts in an amount sufficient to produce a citrate 
ion concentration level of 1 mM to 35 mM when in an aqueous solution. 
Citrate ions may be included in the composition according to the present 
invention as they have a two-fold effect. Firstly they may be used 
Partially or completely in place of bicarbonate ions. Secondly they may be 
used at very low concentration levels in order to increase fluid uptake 
across the gut wall. Thus a concentration of approximately 1 to 35 mM of 
citrate ions may be included in an aqeuous solution of the veterinary 
composition according to the Present invention. However, the sum of 
bicarbonate and citrate concentrations should not exceed 40 mM so that 
chloride stimulated water absorption is not interfered with. The source of 
citrate ions may be sodium citrate. 
In a particularly preferred form, the veterinary composition may include an 
aqueous solution of approximately 227 mM glucose, 86 mM sodium (Na.sup.+) 
ions and 86 mM chloride (Cl.sup.-) ions. 
This is equivalent to approximately 45 gm/l glucose and 5 gm/l NaCl. 
In a preferred form, the veterinary composition may comprise 
(a) approximately 88% w/w to approximately 94% w/w of glucose monohydrate 
based on the total weight of the veterinary composition, 
(b) approximately 6% w/w to approximately 12% w/w of sodium chloride based 
on the total weight of the veterinary composition. 
In a further preferred form, the veterinary composition may comprise a 
veterinary composition comprising 
(a) approximately 83% w/w to approximately 92% w/w of dextrose (anhydrous) 
based on the total weight of the veterinary composition, 
(b) approximately 7% w/w to 10% w/w of sodium chloride based on the total 
weight of the veterinary composition, and 
(c) approximately 4% w/w to approximately 6.5% w/w of sodium bicarbonate 
based on the total weight of the veterinary composition. 
In order to achieve the desired ion concentration the veterinary 
composition including dextrose monohydrate may be present in an aqueous 
solution in amounts of approximately 44.1 to 58.1 gm per liter. The 
veterinary composition including dextrose (anhydrous) may be present in 
amounts of approximately 40.5 to 53.6 gm per liter. 
In a preferred aspect of the present invention there is provided a 
veterinary composition useful for treatment of energy depletion, 
dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in diarrhoeic neonatal animals 
consisting essentially of 
(a) glucose in an amount sufficient to produce a concentration level of 
from greater than 200 mM to 250 mM when in an aqueous solution, 
(b) one or more sodium salts in an amount sufficient to produce a sodium 
ion concentration level of from 60 mM to 120 mM when in an aqueous 
solution, 
(c) one or more chloride salts in an amount sufficient to produce a 
chloride ion concentration of 50 mM to 90 mM when in an aqueous solution, 
(d) one or more bicarbonate salts in an amount sufficient to produce a 
bicarbonate in concentration level of 20 to 40 mM when in an aqueous 
solution, and 
(e) one or more citrate salts in an amount sufficient to produce a citrate 
ion concentration level of 1 mM to 35 mM when in an aqueous solution. 
In a further preferred aspect there is provided a mixture consisting 
essentially of a veterinary composition useful for treatment of energy 
depletion, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in diarrhoeic neonatal 
animals consisting essentially of 
(a) glucose in an amount sufficient to produce a concentration level of 
from greater than 200 mM to 250 mM when in an aqueous solution, 
(b) one or more sodium salts in an amount sufficient to produce a sodium 
ion concentration level of from 60 mM to 120 mM when in an aqueous 
solution, and 
(c) one or more chloride salts in an amount sufficient to produce a 
chloride ion concentration level of 50 mM to 90 mM when in an aqueous 
solution, and 
milk or a milk product in an approximately 1:1 volume to volume mixture. 
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is 
provided a method for the treatment of animal diarrhoea which comprises 
administering to a neonatal animal requiring such treatment an 
antidiarrheal amount of a veterinary composition useful for treatment of 
energy depletion, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in diarrhoeic 
animals consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of 
(a) glucose in an amount sufficient to produce a concentration level of 
from 200 mM to 250 mM when in an aqueous solution, 
(b) one or more sodium salts in an amount sufficient to produce a sodium 
ion concentration level of from 60 mM to 120 mM when in an aqueous 
solution, and 
(c) one or more chloride salts in an amount sufficient to produce a 
chloride ion concentration level of 50 mM to 90 mM when in an aqueous 
solution. 
The veterinary composition may be in the form of an aqueous solution for 
oral administration. 
The veterinary composition may be administered twice daily. The veterinary 
composition may be administered in amounts of approximately 1.5 to 2 
liters depending on the size of the calf, (smaller amounts would be 
suitable for piglets). The treatment may continue for two days during 
which milk should not be fed. The veterinary composition may then be 
administered as a mixture of composition and milk. The mixture may be an 
approximately 1:1 volume/volume mixture. 
For example, approximately 0.75 liters of solution may be mixed with 
approximately 0.75 liters of milk and administered to the animal twice 
daily for two days. 
Preferably the veterinary composition is administered in amounts of 3 to 4 
liters per day for two to three days. 
More preferably, the veterinary composition is administered for two days 
and after the second day of treatment the veterinary composition is 
administered as an approximate 1:1 volume/volume mixture of the 
composition and milk. 
Alternatively the veterinary composition may be administered on alternate 
feedings to an approximately equivalent volume of milk.

The invention will now be more fully described with reference to the 
accompanying example. It should be understood however, that this example 
is illustrative and should not be taken in any way as a restriction on the 
generality of the invention described above. 
______________________________________ 
EXAMPLE 1 
PROPORTIONS OF INGREDIENTS 
A - Using dextrose monohydrate; no sodium bicarbonate 
g/kg 
g/liter pow- 
Ingredient mM solution der Comment 
______________________________________ 
(i) Max glucose, 
min NaCl 
Dextrose M.H. 
250 49.5 *934 Min NaCl 
limited 
NaCl 60 + 60 3.5 *66 by min Na.sup.+ 
Total 370 54.0 1000 conc. 
(ii) Min glucose, 
max NaCl 
Dextrose M.H. 
200 39.6 *884 Max NaCl 
limited 
NaCl 90 + 90 5.2 *116 by max Cl.sup.- 
Total 380 44.8 1000 conc. 
(iii) 
Max Powder 
mixture/liter 
Dextrose M.H. 
250 49.5 
NaCl 90 + 90 5.2 
Total 430 *54.7 
g/l 
(iv) Min Powder 
mixture/liter 
Dextrose M.H. 
200 39.6 
NaCl 60 + 60 3.5 
Total 320 *43.1 
g/l 
______________________________________ 
______________________________________ 
B - Using dextrose monohydrate and sodium bicarbonate 
g/kg 
g/liter pow- 
Ingredient mM solution der Comment 
______________________________________ 
(i) Max glucose 
Dextrose M.H. 
250 49.5 *915 
NaCl 50 + 50 2.9 54 
NaHCO.sub.3 20 + 20 1.7 31 
Total 390 54.1 1000 
(ii) Min glucose 
Dextrose M.H. 
200 39.6 *832 Amt. NaCl 
limited 
NaCl 80 + 80 4.6 97 by max Na.sup.+ 
(120 mM) 
NaHCO.sub.3 40 + 40 3.4 71 
Total 440 47.6 1000 
(iii) 
Max NaCl 
Dextrose M.H. 
200 39.6 822 
NaCl 90 + 90 5.2 *108 
NaHCO.sub.3 40 + 40 3.4 70 
Total 460 48.2 1000 
(iv) Min NaCl 
Dextrose M.H. 
250 49.5 887 
NaCl 50 + 50 2.9 *52 
NaHCO.sub.3 40 + 40 3.4 61 
Total 430 55.8 1000 
(v) Max NaHCO3 
Dextrose M.H. 
200 39.6 863 
NaCl 50 + 50 2.9 63 
NaHCO.sub.3 40 + 40 3.4 *74 
Total 420 45.9 1000 
(vi) Min NaHCO3 
Dextrose M.H. 
250 49.5 878 
NaCl 90 + 90 5.2 92 
NaHCO.sub.3 20 + 20 1.7 *30 
Total 470 56.4 1000 
(vii) 
Max powder 
mixt./liter soln. 
250 49.5 Amount of 
Dextrose M.H. NaCl limited 
NaCl 80 + 80 4.6 by max Na.sup.+ 
conc. 
(120 mM) 
NaHCO.sub.3 40 + 40 3.4 
Total 490 *57.5 
g/l 
(viii) 
Min powder 
mixt./liter soln. 
Dextrose M.H. 
200 39.6 
NaCl 50 + 50 2.9 
NaHCO3 20 + 20 1.7 
Total 340 *44.2 
g/l 
______________________________________ 
______________________________________ 
C - Using anhydrous dextrose; no sodium bicarbonate 
g/liter g/kg 
Ingredient mM solution powder 
______________________________________ 
(i) Max glucose, 
min NaCl 
Anh. dextrose 
250 45.0 *928 
NaCl 60 + 60 3.5 *72 
Total 370 48.5 1000 
(ii) Min glucose, 
max NaCl 
Anh. dextrose 
200 36.0 *874 
NaCl 90 + 90 5.2 *126 
Total 380 41.2 1000 
(iii) Max Powder 
mixt./liter 
Anh. dextrose 
250 45.0 
NaCl 90 + 90 5.2 
Total 430 *50.2 
g/l 
(iv) Min Powder 
mixt./liter 
Anh. dextrose 
200 36.0 
NaCl 60 + 60 3.5 
Total 320 *39.5 
g/l 
______________________________________ 
______________________________________ 
D - Using anhydrous dextrose and sodium bicarbonate 
g/kg 
g/liter pow- 
Ingredient mM solution der Comment 
______________________________________ 
(i) Max glucose 
Dextrose anh. 
250 45.0 *907 
NaCl 50 + 50 2.9 59 
NaHCO.sub.3 20 + 20 1.7 34 
Total 390 49.6 1000 
(ii) Min glucose 
Dextrose anh. 
200 36.0 *818 
NaCl 80 + 80 4.6 105 
NaHCO.sub.3 40 + 40 3.4 77 
Total 440 44.0 1000 
(iii) Max NaCl 
Dextrose anh. 
200 36.0 807 
NaCl 90 + 90 5.2 *117 
NaHCO.sub.3 40 + 40 3.4 76 
Total 460 44.6 1000 
(iv) Min NaCl 
Dextrose anh. 
250 45.0 877 
NaCl 50 + 50 2.9 *57 
NaHCO.sub.3 40 + 40 3.4 66 
Total 430 51.3 1000 
(v) Max NaHCO.sub.3 
Dextrose anh. 
200 36.0 851 
NaCl 50 + 50 2.9 69 
NaHCO.sub.3 40 + 40 3.4 *80 
Total 420 42.3 1000 
(vi) Min NaHCO.sub.3 
Dextrose anh. 
250 45.0 867 
NaCl 90 + 90 5.2 100 
NaHCO.sub.3 20 + 20 1.7 *33 
Total 470 51.9 1000 
(vii) Max Powder 
mixt./liter soln. 
Anh. Dextrose 
250 45.0 
NaCl 80 + 80 4.6 
NaHCO.sub.3 40 + 40 3.4 
Total 490 *53.0 
g/l 
(viii) 
Min Powder 
mixt./liter soln. 
Anh. Dextrose 
200 36.0 
NaCl 50 + 50 2.9 
NaHCO.sub.3 20 + 20 1.7 
Total 340 *40.6 
g/l 
______________________________________ 
1 Kg of the veterinary compositions A, B, C, D, were prepared by mixing 
together the ingredients in dry powder form. 
EXAMPLE 2 
A veterinary composition according to the present invention in the form of 
an aqueous solution containing 227 mM glucose, 86 mM Na.sup.+ and 86 mM 
Cl.sup.- was fed to calves which became diarrhoeic following infection 
with rotavirus and cryptosporidia. 
Other calves were fed with electrolyte only or electrolyte glycine, glucose 
mixtures having compositions as set out in FIG. 1. Diarrhoeic calves (12) 
were deprived of milk and fed 1.5 liters of the solution alone twice daily 
for 2 days, then fed 0.75 liters of the solution with 0.75 liters milk 
twice daily for 2 days. Calves treated with the solution became 
significantly less acidotic (P&lt;0.02 days 2-4) and less dehydrated (P&lt;0.05 
days 1-3) than control diarrhoeic calves (12) fed 1.5 liters milk twice 
daily. 
The effects of such treatments on acidosis and dehydration of calves are 
set out in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 4 also shows the number of calves in each 
group found to be moribund. From a review of these Figures it will be 
noted that diarrhoeic calves fed a commercial electrolyte-only solution or 
a commercial solution containing glucose (125 mM), glycine and 
electrolytes also became significantly less acidotic and dehydrated than 
milk fed controls. However some calves in both these treatment groups 
became severely hypoglycaemic and moribund. Diarrhoeic calves continued on 
milk and given an oral antimicrobial became significantly more acidotic 
(P&lt;0.05 days 1.2) than diarrhoeic control calves fed milk alone. 
In the trials calves were alloted to treatment groups with consideration to 
immunoglobulin status, bodyweight, initial severity of diarrhoea and 
initial degree of acidosis and dehydration. Under these circumstances the 
new veterinary composition according to the present invention was 
effective in minimizing acidosis, dehydration and hypoglycaemia in calves 
infected with rotavirus and cryptosporidia. None of the calves died in the 
new solution treatment group during the experiments but calves died with 
severe hypoglycaemia in the two other milk deprived treatment groups (FIG. 
4). Although the number of deaths are too small for significance data, 
blood changes in the milk-deprived moribund calves indicate the 
glucose/energy content of currently available solutions is too low. 
EXAMPLE 3 
A further trial was conducted at the Regional Veterinary Laboratory 
Bairnsdale, Victoria to compare glucose and fluid absorption from a high 
glucose electrolyte solution according to the present invention with that 
obtained from a composition according to Bywater U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,568 
that has a lower glucose concentration. 
Glucose absorption was monitored by blood glucose concentration and fluid 
absorption was monitored by change in blood packed cell volume and plasma 
protein concentration. Preliminary statistical analysis has been performed 
using the T-test for comparison of means of 2 groups. 
To conduct the trial treatment compositions were prepared in 1 kg 
quantities by hand using laboratory grade chemicals and laboratory 
balances. For the composition according to the present invention, 
designated the Jerrett composition, 1 kg of treatment powder was prepared 
by mixing 880 g glucose monohydrate, 70 g of sodium chloride and 50 g of 
sodium bicarbonate. For the composition according to the Bywater U.S. 
Pat., designated the Beecham composition, 1 kg of treatment powder was 
prepared by mixing 720 g glucose monohydrate, 135 g sodium chloride, 25 g 
potassium chloride, 100 g glycine, and 20 g trisodium citrate. 
Table 1 issustrates the compositions fed to the groups of calves used in 
the trial. In this trial health dairy claves 4-5 weeks old were allocated 
to 2 groups of 8 and each group was fed one of the compositions in Table 
1. The dry compositions were added to water at a rate of 50 g/l and fed at 
a rate of 55 ml solution per kg bodyweight. The concentration of the 
solutions were confirmed by colorimetry (glucose) and flame photometry 
(sodium). 
TABLE 1 
______________________________________ 
Trial 1 Dry Compositions 
JERRETT BEECHAM 
______________________________________ 
Glucose monohydrate 
88% 72% 
Sodium chloride 7% 13.5% 
Sodium bicarbonate 
5% -- 
Potassium chloride 2.5% 
Glycine 10% 
Trisodium citrate 2% 
Solutions made by dissolving 50 g of dry composition 
per liter of water. 
Osmolarity 402 mM 527 mM 
Glucose 222 mM 182 mM 
Sodium 90 mM 125 mM 
Chloride 60 mM 133 mM 
Bicarbonate 30 mM -- 
Potassium 17 mM 
Citrate 3 mM 
Glycine 67 mM 
______________________________________ 
To analyse the effectivenss of the treatment compositions blood samples 
were collected from calves into evacuated tubes containing either lithium 
heparin or sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate anticoagulants. Packed cell 
volumes were determined on lithium heparin blood samples using standard 
microhaematocrit techniques. Protein assays were performed on lithium 
hiparin blood plasma and glucose assays were performed on sodium 
fluoride/potassium oxadate blood plasma by clorimetric methods using 
commercial kits (Boeringer) on a Roche Cobas Mira autoanalyser. Protein 
was measured by the Biuret method and glucose was measured by the 
GOD-Perid method. 
FIG. 5 illustrates the glucose absorption in the blood of the groups of 
calves used in the experiment as measured against time. From this 
information it can be seen that glucose absorption was significantly 
higher from the solution according to the present invention as 
demonstrated by mean blood gluocse levels (p&lt;0.02 1.5-2 hours, p&lt;0.05 3 
hours) following feeding. The difference in glucose absorptions two hours 
after administration was 50% whereas the different in glucose 
concentration in the formulations was only 22%. Thus the increase is much 
greater than might have been predicted from the compositions. Moreover, 
veterinarians have traditionally believed that any increase in blood 
glucose would be less than the 22% as animal bodies are not capable of 
higher absorption of glucose. 
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the fluid absorption, as measured by change in PCV 
and plasma protein. These figures establish that the fluid absorption was 
not significantly difference between the groups. This is the desired 
result. This trial demonstrates the clear advantage of the present 
formulation by providing significantly higher glucose absorption and a 
consequent energy repletion whilst maintaining the fluid absorption 
characteristics for which oral glucose-electrolyte solutions were 
originally developed. 
Finally, it is to be understood that various other modifications and/or 
alterations may be made without departing from the spirit of the present 
invention as outlined herein.