Factors contributing to plasma TCO₂and acid‐base state in Ontario Standardbred racehorses

Abstract

SummaryReasons for performing study: Standardbred and Thoroughbred racehorses around the world are tested for performance enhancing substances. Among these are blood alkalising substances that raise plasma pH and total carbon dioxide (TCO2) concentration. However, many horses have an elevated TCO2 due to dietary, environmental and health concerns without having been administered an alkalising substance. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to determine the acid-base profile of a cross section of Standardbred horses in racing/race training in Ontario and the main independent variables that contributed to acid-base state.

Science in brief: Clinical news from the 8th ICEEP conference 2010. Special topics

“…The major variable affecting TCO2 was the strong ion difference. In particular, a low chloride concentration was evident in horses with a high TCO2, and this was compounded in some horses by relatively low weak acid concentrations [10]. Chloride may be lost in sweat associated with exercise, transport or excitement, and may also be affected by dietary cation and anion balance.…”

“…Waller and colleagues [10] provide a new insight into variables affecting plasma total serum carbon dioxide concentration (TCO 2 ) and acid–base balance in Standardbred racehorses. It was the first study of its kind to include all the major factors potentially affecting acid–base balance in the one study.…”

The effect of sodium bicarbonate and validation of beckman coulter AU680 analyzers for measuring total carbon dioxide (TCO2) concentrations in horse serum

“…A mixture of alkalinizing salts, usually sodium bicarbonate, is given by some trainers in a process called ‘milkshaking’ to increase the blood buffering capacity in order to remove lactate from the skeletal muscle, delaying fatigue (Lloyd & Rose ; Waller et al . ).…”

“…During prolonged exercise, lactic acid builds up in the muscle of horses, lowering the blood pH (Beard & Hinchcliff 2002). A mixture of alkalinizing salts, usually sodium bicarbonate, is given by some trainers in a process called 'milkshaking' to increase the blood buffering capacity in order to remove lactate from the skeletal muscle, delaying fatigue (Lloyd & Rose 1995;Waller et al 2010).…”

“…The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usage of Beckman Coulter AU680 analyzers for measurement of TCO 2 in horse serum, and to determine the effect of sodium bicarbonate administrations on serum TCO 2 levels in horses. To our knowledge, the effect of administration of sodium bicarbonate on TCO 2 levels have not been investigated in horses, although there have been several studies conducted to determine the storage and handling, seasonal temperature variation, track location, thoroughbred status, pre-or post-race, furosemide administration status, dietary, environmental and handling practices and health concerns on TCO 2 levels in racehorses (Heffron et al 2014;Sutton et al 2014;Waller et al 2010;Cohen et al, 2006).…”