Pedialyte vs. Lactated Ringers

[Squirlz]

Would someone be so kind as to offer a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of Pedialyte vs. lactated ringers?

I would also like to know if the rule of how/why not to mix with your formula would also apply to lactated ringers...

Thanks!

[Itchiku's dad]

not an expert on this but; Lactated Ringer's solution is a solution that is isotonic with blood and intended for intravenous administration. It may also be given subcutaneously.

Pedialyte is an oral electrolyte solution.

I don't why you shouldn't mix them with formula though.

[Saverywood]

:Welcome Good question. Glad you are here.
Please, never mix anything but water with formula; it can cause imbalances and big trouble.
Why would you want to mix either with formula? I mean what are you hoping to gain?
What formula are you using? Is it not working?

ID is right about the differences in the route of administration. Pedialyte can only be given by mouth.:)
LR - Can be given Orally, tubing, subcutaneous injections - great rehyrdation solution for any degree of dehydration & may be given by various routes; use sterile technique.
Pedialyte - Orally; not for subcutaneous injections - easily available, good for minor dehydration, Refridgerate.
BOTH ABOVE can only be given for 24 hours; after that there is too much sodium.
Hope that helps.



PS....where are you in NC?

[Squirlz]

Hi again! And thank you!

The reason I was curious was because I do not have Pedialyte on hand, but do have some ringers. I read about the horrors of mixing pedialyte with formula, was wondering if the same applied to ringers (for example, if you wanted to give some oral hydration during a regular formula feeding.)

I think, bc of the sodium, it is probably not a good idea (it could potentially dehydrate the formula in the gut, throwing off the concentration water/formula?) Anyhow, I've just decided to hydrate in between feedings only.

So, ringers have the advantage of alternate delivery routes...and Pedialyte tastes better, orally. Is there any other situation where Pedialyte would be preferable?

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Ringers can be given orally as well. For squirrels I usually use pedialyte or electamine and for cottontails I always use ringers or electramine, never pedialyte. I think pedialyte just has too much sugar for bunnies, they do great with the ringers (I usually tube it to them).

The reason that you don't want to mix fluids (ringers, pedialyte, or electramine) with formula IN PLACE OF WATER is because the little guys will digest the fluids quickly leaving the powdered formula behind and it makes a big ball of goo that must then make it through the digestive system. When mixed with water, the powder and water are digested together. At least that's my understanding.

I will mix pedialyte, electramine, or ringers with already mixed up formula for dehydrated guys. So, if you're on 2:1 formula, you'd mix 1 part formula powder, 2 parts water, and 1 part fluids that you are using. I've had good luck with that.

The rule is to never mix in fluids instead of water!

[Squirlz]

Ringers can be given orally as well. For squirrels I usually use pedialyte or electamine and for cottontails I always use ringers or electramine, never pedialyte. I think pedialyte just has too much sugar for bunnies, they do great with the ringers (I usually tube it to them).

The reason that you don't want to mix fluids (ringers, pedialyte, or electramine) with formula IN PLACE OF WATER is because the little guys will digest the fluids quickly leaving the powdered formula behind and it makes a big ball of goo that must then make it through the digestive system. When mixed with water, the powder and water are digested together. At least that's my understanding.

I will mix pedialyte, electramine, or ringers with already mixed up formula for dehydrated guys. So, if you're on 2:1 formula, you'd mix 1 part formula powder, 2 parts water, and 1 part fluids that you are using. I've had good luck with that.

The rule is to never mix in fluids instead of water!


So, you would consider it ok to dilute a syringe of pre-mixed formula with some LR? For example, you have a baby with some diarrhea, who isn't quite in "rehydrate! stat!" mode, but might benefit from having the formula (mixed at 2:1 earlier in the day) diluted to say, 50 or 75%...

Here, I am referring to taking a single 3 cc syringe, and taking up 2 cc of liquid formula, and 1 of some LR, to create a dilution which has the nutrients of the formula, but a little extra hydration...

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Yep, I do that all the time, as long as you don't replace water with Lactated ringer it is fine :thumbsup