Lactated Ringer Solution for Intravenous Infusion 500ML is a sterile, pyrogen-free and ready-to-use solution intended for intravenous administration in animals. Its use is particularly indicated in situations of dehydration, mild or moderate metabolic acidosis, hypovolemia and electrolyte imbalances, providing rapid restoration of the volume and ionic composition of body fluids. The administration of this solution allows you to re-establish water balance and correct electrolyte alterations caused by loss of fluids through vomiting, diarrhoea, burns, blood loss or during and after surgery.
This solution is characterized by the balanced presence of sodium, potassium, calcium and chlorides together with lactate, which acts as a metabolic buffer and promotes the correction of acidosis. The isotonic composition reduces the risk of complications due to excessive administration or abrupt changes in plasma electrolyte levels. The infusion is also indicated in the therapeutic support of animals in critical conditions, in debilitated patients and during clinical procedures involving loss or dilution of body fluids.
The practical 500ML package allows good manageability both in continuous administration and in repeated treatments, making it versatile in different veterinary clinical contexts. The product appears clear and without suspended particles, ready to be administered via a special infusion system.
Therapeutic Indications
Lactated Ringer's Solution for Intravenous Infusion is recommended for the rapid treatment of states of moderate or severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances such as hyponatremia, hypokalemia and hypochloremia, and for the correction of mild or moderate metabolic acidosis. It can be used in all conditions where it is necessary to compensate for the loss of fluids and minerals, including severe diarrhea, persistent vomiting, extensive burns and acute bleeding.
The main indications include: maintenance of electrolyte balance during surgical interventions, stabilization of the circulating volume in hypovolemic shock, fluid therapy in septic or polytraumatized patients, and support in animals subjected to pharmacological treatments that alter the ionic composition of the plasma. The lactate present in the solution is transformed by the liver into bicarbonate, contributing to the correction of metabolic acidosis without burdening renal metabolism.
In veterinary medicine the solution is used in canine, feline, equine, bovine species and other species of interest, offering a safe and effective therapeutic profile in various systemic pathologies and as an adjuvant in post-operative care.
Composition
Active ingredients: Each 100 ml of solution contains:
Sodium chloride: 0.600 g
Potassium chloride: 0.030 g
Calcium chloride dihydrate: 0.020 g
Sodium lactate: 0.320 g
Water for injections to taste to 100 ml
The solution is isotonic with respect to the plasma, offering a balanced concentration of electrolytes. Sodium and potassium chlorides ensure the replacement of electrolyte losses, while lactate is metabolised at the liver level, contributing to the endogenous production of bicarbonate and contributing to acid-base balance. The presence of calcium adds further effectiveness in stabilizing the heartbeat and transmitting nerve impulses, making the solution versatile in clinical use.
Excipients: water for injections. The solution does not contain preservatives.
Contraindications
Administration is contraindicated in cases of hyperkalemia, hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, congestive heart failure, generalized edema, severe impaired renal function or conditions that predispose to sodium and water retention. Do not use in subjects with proven hypersensitivity to the components of the solution. Use is not recommended in patients with severely compromised liver function, as the conversion of lactate to bicarbonate could be inefficient and lead to accumulation of lactate in the blood.
The use must be carefully evaluated in animals with impaired cardiac or circulatory function and during concomitant treatments with drugs that can increase blood concentrations of potassium or calcium. Rapid or large volume infusion could cause circulatory overload or electrolyte imbalances in fragile patients.
Safety of the drug for the species
The use of Lactated Ringer's solution is generally well tolerated by animals when administered following the recommended dosages and infusion rates. Any signs of hypervolemia, electrolyte imbalances (such as hyperkalemia or hypercalcemia) and alterations in the acid-base balance must be monitored by blood chemistry tests during treatment, especially in the most sensitive subjects or in critically ill patients. The dosage must always be adapted to the patient's weight, severity of the clinical condition and blood chemistry.
Adverse reactions such as generalized edema, cardiac rhythm disorders or allergic manifestations are rare, but if they occur it is advisable to interrupt the infusion and adopt appropriate supportive therapies. The product meets high safety and sterility standards, reducing the risk of infections related to administration.
Precautions
During the administration of Lactated Ringer's solution, it is essential to adopt all the necessary hygienic and technical precautions to prevent contamination. Always use sterile devices for the infusion route and handle the bag respecting the principles of asepsis. The infusion rate must be adapted to the clinical conditions of the animal and constantly monitored to prevent risks of hypervolemia, electrolyte imbalances or cardiac overload.
Particular attention should be paid in patients with cardiac, renal, hepatic diseases or in geriatic animals, where frequent haematochemical evaluation is advisable. In case of suspected local infection at the infusion site, discontinue use immediately and consult the cause. Do not use the solution if the bag appears damaged or if the liquid is not clear and free of particles.
People administering the product must wash their hands after use and avoid direct contact with eyes and mucous membranes. The product must not be mixed with other drugs or solutions without prior veterinary consultation.
Method of administration
The solution must be administered intravenously only, using a sterile infusion system. The speed and quantity to be administered vary based on the weight of the animal, the severity of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance and the natural capacity for hemodynamic compensation. The flow of the infusion must be constantly monitored by qualified personnel, adjusting the speed based on the animal's clinical response and vital parameters.
The solution can be used as part of a maintenance therapy or as an emergency intervention in critical situations, with dosages established by the veterinarian based on the specific needs of the patient. It is important to guarantee the integrity of the sterile system throughout the infusion time, replacing the infusion set according to veterinary hygiene recommendations.
Treatment program
The treatment program with Ringer's Lactate varies in relation to the pathology treated, the degree of dehydration and the clinical evolution of the patient. In acute cases, a rapid administration of part of the dose calculated to quickly restore the circulating volume may be envisaged, followed by slow and continuous infusions to maintain the hydro-electrolyte balance.
The duration of treatment can range from a few hours to several days, depending on the persistence of the causes of fluid loss and the animal's ability to recover. During prolonged treatment, periodic monitoring of the blood chemistry parameters is necessary to adapt the quantities of infused solution and regulate the electrolyte composition if variations compared to physiological values emerge.
In animals undergoing surgery, fluid therapy is planned based on the anticipated loss of blood and fluids, integrating it with other solutions or components according to clinical indications.
Target species
The Ringer Lactate solution is indicated for dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, goats and exotic animals according to the prescriptions and needs identified by the veterinary surgeon. Thanks to its safety and versatility, it is used in both companion and farm animals, in different age stages and pathophysiological conditions, in emergency medicine, in hospital routine and in surgical procedures.
