VetOne Sodium Bicarbonate 8.4% Injection, Single Dose Vial, 100mL

Sodium Bicarbonate is indicated in the treatment of metabolic acidosis which may be due to severe renal disease, uncontrolled diabetes, circulatory insufficiency due to shock or severe dehydration, cardiac arrest and severe primary lactic acidosis. Sodium Bicarbonate is also indicated in severe diarrhea which is often accompanied by a significant loss of bicarbonate. Sodium Bicarbonate 8.4% is indicated in the treatment of metabolic acidosis in cattle, horses, sheep, swine and dogs depending upon causative factor. See package insert for complete product details.

The total osmolar concentration of this product is approximately 2000 mOsm/L.

Inject intravenously. Use caution in emergencies where very rapid infusion of large quantities of bicarbonate is indicated, such as cardiac arrest. Sodium bicarbonate solutions are hypertonic and may produce an undesirable rise in plasma sodium concentration during the process of correction of metabolic acidosis. During cardiac arrest, however, the risks from acidosis exceed those of hypernatremia. In cattle and horses, 200 to 300 mL of 8.4% solution may be given undiluted by rapid infusion using a needle and syringe.

Sodium Bicarbonate 8.4% solution is often added to other intravenous fluids for the less urgent forms of metabolic acidosis. The amount of bicarbonate to be given over a 4 to 8 hour period is approximately 2 to 5 mEq per kg of body weight (1-2.5 mL/body weight) depending upon the severity of the acidosis as judged by the lowering of total CO2 content, blood pH, and clinical condition of the animal.

Bicarbonate therapy should always be planned in stepwise fashion since the degree of response from a given dose is not precisely predictable. Initially, an infusion of 2 to 5 mEq per kg of body weight over a period of 4 to 8 hours will produce a measurable improvement in the abnormal acid- base status of the blood. Completion of therapy is dependent upon the clinical response of the animal. If severe symptoms have abated, the frequency and size of the doses should be reduced.

Overdosages:

In case alkalosis occurs, the bicarbonate should be stopped and the animal managed according to the degree of alkalosis present. Sodium chloride injection (0.9%) may be given intravenously; potassium chloride also may be indicated if there is hypokalemia. Severe alkalosis may be accompanied by hyperirritability or tetany, and these symptoms may be controlled by calcium gluconate. An acidifying agent such as ammonium chloride may also be indicated in severe alkalosis.

Warnings:

This is a sterile single dose vial. No preservatives have been added. Discard unused portion after use. Do not use if solution is hazy, cloudy or contains a precipitate.

Caution:

Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Precautions:

Bicarbonate therapy is directed at producing a substantial correction of low total CO2 content and blood pH, but risks of overdosage and alkalosis should be avoided. Repeated fractional doses and periodic monitoring by appropriate laboratory tests are therefore recommended to minimize the possibility of overdosage. Sodium Bicarbonate addition to parenteral solutions containing calcium should be avoided except where compatibility has been previously established. Precipitation or haze may result from sodium bicarbonate-calcium admixtures, and the resulting solution should not be administered.

Contraindications:

Sodium Bicarbonate is contraindicated in animals losing chloride by vomiting and in animals receiving diuretics known to produce a hypochloremic alkalosis.

Storage:

Store at a temperature between 15°-30° C (59°-86° F).