What is the primary use of sodium bicarbonate in veterinary medicine?

Sodium bicarbonate serves a primary purpose in veterinary medicine as a treatment for metabolic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis occurs when there is an excess of acid in the body or a loss of bicarbonate, leading to a decrease in blood pH. Administering sodium bicarbonate provides bicarbonate ions that can help neutralize excess acids, thus raising blood pH back toward normal levels.

In the context of its other potential uses, although sodium bicarbonate can function as an antacid to alleviate gastric acid conditions, and also serves as a buffering agent in certain anesthesia protocols, its most critical and direct application is in combating acidemia through metabolic acidosis treatment. Therefore, recognizing the role of sodium bicarbonate in correcting acid-base imbalances underlines its importance in veterinary pharmacology, particularly in acute clinical scenarios where pH stabilization is essential for patient recovery.