Method of Treating Dehydration in Large Mammals

Abstract

A re-hydration supplement composition particularly suitable to counteract dehydration stresses in mature bovine mammals in the form of a pelletized feed supplement is disclosed which includes relatively large fractions of carbohydrates including saccharides, cationic and anionic electrolytes and a minor amount of betaine osmolyte. A process for pelleting is also disclosed.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A method of preventing dehydration in large mammals of interest comprising administering an effective amount of a feed supplement composition in pellet form, said composition comprising:
 (a) grain and grain bi-products including at least one selected from the group consisting of wheat middlings, cooked cereal fines and alfalfa meal, said processed grain and grain bi-products being present in a total amount of at least 25%;   (b) a plurality of saccharides comprising monosaccharides and disaccharides in a total amount from about 3.5% to about 60%;   (c) a plurality of re-hydration electrolytes including anion electrolytes including anions selected from the group consisting of bicarbonate, chloride, phosphate and sulfate and cation electrolytes including cations selected from the group consisting of sodium potassium, magnesium and calcium, wherein said total amount of said electrolytes is from about 3.5% to about 27%;   (d) an amount of flavoring and pH adjustment components; and   (e) a minor amount of betaine osmolyte for electrolyte level or cell concentration control.   
     
     
         37 . A method as in  claim 36  wherein the plurality of re-hydration electrolytes includes the following:
 Sodium Chloride from about 1.25% to about 3.75%;   Potassium Chloride from about 1.25% to about 7.5%;   Potassium Carbonate from about 0.5% to about 5%;   Calcium Carbonate from about 0.25% to about 5%;   Calcium Lactate from about 0.05% to about 0.5%;   Dipotassium Phosphate from about 0.025% to about 0.25%;   Monosodium Phosphate from about 0.05% to about 0.5%;   Magnesium Oxide from about 0.005% to about 0.5%; and   Magnesium Sulfate, 9.8% from about 0.1% to about 0.75%.   
     
     
         38 . A method as in  claim 37  wherein the amount of said electrolytes is from about 8% to about 15%. 
     
     
         39 . A method as in  claim 36  wherein said monosaccharides include dextrose and fructose and said disaccharides include sucrose and lactose. 
     
     
         40 . A method as in  claim 38  wherein said monosaccharides include dextrose and fructose and said disaccharides include sucrose and lactose. 
     
     
         41 . A method as in  claim 39  wherein the amount of saccharides is about 14%. 
     
     
         42 . A method as in  claim 40  wherein the amount of saccharides is about 14%. 
     
     
         43 . A method as in  claim 36  including an amount of bovine milk calcium in the form of tricalcium phosphate in an amount from about 0.1% to about 12%. 
     
     
         44 . A method as in  claim 36  wherein the composition is pelletized. 
     
     
         45 . A method as in  claim 44  wherein the saccharides are not carmelized. 
     
     
         46 . A method as in  claim 36  wherein said flavoring and pH adjustment components include citric acid in an amount from about 0.5% to about 5%. 
     
     
         47 . A method as in  claim 36  including administering said composition as a top dressing on feed. 
     
     
         48 . A method as in  claim 36  including administering said composition mixed with feed. 
     
     
         49 . A method as in  claim 36  wherein said composition is administered to animals of interest in an amount commensurate with maintaining normal osmolarity based on average daily water intake. 
     
     
         50 . A method as in  claim 49  wherein said animals of interest are bovines≧600 pounds in weight. 
     
     
         51 . A method of preventing dehydration in large mammals of interest comprising administering an effective amount of a feed supplement composition, said composition comprising:
 (a) grain and grain bi-products including at least one selected from the group consisting of wheat middlings, cooked cereal fines and alfalfa meal, said processed grain and grain bi-products being present in a total amount of at least 25%;   (b) a plurality of saccharides comprising monosaccharides and disaccharides in a total amount from about 3.5% to about 60%;   (c) a plurality of re-hydration electrolytes including anion electrolytes including anions selected from the group consisting of bicarbonate, chloride, phosphate and sulfate and cation electrolytes including cations selected from the group consisting of sodium potassium, magnesium and calcium, wherein said total amount of said electrolytes is from about 3.5% to about 27%;   (d) an amount of flavoring and pH adjustment components; and   (e) a minor amount of betaine osmolyte for electrolyte level or cell concentration control.   
     
     
         52 . A method as in  claim 51  including administering said composition as a top dressing on feed. 
     
     
         53 . A method as in  claim 51  including administering said composition mixed with feed. 
     
     
         54 . A method as in  claim 51  wherein said composition is administered to animals of interest in an amount commensurate with maintaining normal osmolarity based on average daily water intake.