Sorry Heidi, my question (previous
reply) wasn't quite thought out enough. Did you mean that a horse
looses sufficient chloride in sweat to override lactic acid production
from muscle exertion & hypovolemia? WOW
> It amazes me that even
among some experienced riders there isn't a clear understanding that metabolic
acidosis and electrolyte imbalance can lead to sudden cardiac death and that
it takes more than IV fluids to get passed that possibility.
Endurance horses are alkalotic, rather than acidotic.
Metabolic alkalosis is particularly an issue, given the losses of chlorides,
but respiratory alkalosis can be an issue in some as well. But even so,
you are right that simply putting the horses on IV fluids often isn't the
whole story.
