Intravenous administration of hypertonic sodium chloride solution with dextran or isotonic sodium chloride solution for treatment of septic shock secondary to pyometra in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of i.v. administration of hypertonic saline (7.5% NaCl) solution with 6% dextran 70 (HSSD) or isotonic saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (ISS) to dogs with septic shock secondary to pyometra. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, clinical study. ANIMALS: 14 client-owned dogs with septic shock secondary to pyometra. PROCEDURE: Prior to emergency ovariohysterectomy, catheters were placed in pulmonary and femoral arteries of each dog to evaluate hemodynamic and oxygenation status. Immediately prior to surgery, 7 dogs received HSSD (4 ml/kg [1.82 ml/lb] of body weight, i.v.) and 7 dogs received ISS (32 ml/kg [14.54 ml/lb], i.v.) during a 5-minute period. Measurements of hemodynamic and oxygenation variables were obtained before and 5 and 20 minutes after administration of fluids. RESULTS: Mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased significantly 5 and 20 minutes after administration of HSSD, whereas ISS did not affect MAP. However, cardiac output, cardiac index, and oxygen delivery increased and hematocrit decreased after both treatments. Oxygen consumption and extraction rate and degree of acidosis did not improve after either treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intravenous administration of small volumes of HSSD to dogs with septic shock secondary to pyometra resulted in improvement of hemodynamic and oxygenation status. Although cardiac output, cardiac index, and oxygen delivery improved after administration of a volume of ISS equal to 8 times that of HSSD, MAP increased to > 80 mm Hg only after treatment with HSSD. Administration of HSSD may be an effective treatment for septic shock in dogs.