Assessing Dehydration (ASAN002/3) Flashcards
What are the methods of assessing dehydration in our patients? (3)
- Patient history
- Physical exam
- Lab tests
What do we need to consider in our Patient’s history to help assess their dehydryation? (5)
- Patient eating & drinking?
- GI losses?
- Trauma?
- Urinary output?
- Abnormal discharges?
What questions do we need to ask to assess the patient’s eating & drinking status? (6)
- have they been eating & drinking normally?
- are they anorexic?
- Off their food?
- eating less than normal?
- drinking less than normal?
- drinking a lot more? (polydipsia)
What do we need to consider to determine Gastrointestinal (GI) losses? (5)
Vomiting?
Diarrhoea?
how often?
how much?
what does it look like? (consistency & colour)
When devising a fluid plan, what specifically about GI lossess needs to be taken into account? (1)
V & D are on–going losses until they are resolved.
What do we need to consider in regards to Trauma to help assess their dehydryation? (4)
- Haemorrhage?
- When trauma occurred?
- How did it happen?
- Current patient status?
What do we need to consider in regards to Urinary status to help assess their dehydryation? (5)
- ↓ urination
- ↑ urination (polyuria)
- straining to urinate? (dysuria)
- colour?
- consistency?
What do we need to consider in regards to Abnormal discharges to help assess their dehydryation? (4)
how long?
amount?
colour?
consistency?
What are examples of Abnormal discharges that would contribute to fluid loss? (2)
- Open pyometra
- Large weeping sore
What parts of a Physical Examination help us assess dehydration? (2)
- Feel mucous membranes
- Perform skin tenting
At what percentage of dehydration do clinical signs start to become apparent? (1)
Once patient is at least 5% dehydrated.
How to normal Mucous Membranes feel? (1)
MM’s are normally moist.
How do a dehydrated patient’s MM’s feel? (2)
Dry & Tacky
How do we perform Skin Tenting? (3)
- Gently lift skin
- Twist
- Observe how long before returns to normal.
Dehydration Percentage & Clinical Signs (Image)
What Lab tests help us assess dehydration? (3)
- PCV
- TPP (TP)
- BUN
What is PCV? (1)
Packed Cell Volume
How do we use PCV test to determine the amount of fluid loss? (2)
Every 1% over ‘normal’ PCV
= fluid loss approx 10ml/kg
How do we determine the ‘normal’ PCV for the patient? (1)
Use middle of normal range for species as your ‘normal’ value
What is the calcuation used to determine fluid deficit using PCV? (1)
Patient kg x amt of PVC ↑ x 10ml/kg
What is the normal PCV range of a dog? (1)
Dog: 35 – 58%
What is the normal PCV range of a cat? (1)
Cat: 28 – 48%
What is the normal PCV range of a horse? (1)
Horse: 32 – 45%
What is TPP?
Total Plasma Protein
How do we use TPP test to determine the amount of fluid loss? (1)
↑ TPP indicates dehydration
What test should you always do with TPP? (1)
PCV
Why should you do PCV & TPP tests together? (2)
- Either one or the other will be ↑ depending on disease
- Unusual for both to be ↑
What is the TPP normal range for a dog? (1)
55 – 80 g/L
What is the TPP normal range for a cat? (1)
61 – 84 g/L
What is the TPP normal range for a horse? (1)
55 – 75 g/L
What is BUN? (2)
- Blood Urea Nitrogen
- Renal (kidney) function test
How does testing BUN help with identifying dehydration? (1)
↑ BUN indicates dehydration
What is an increase in BUN may indicate what condition? (1)
pre–renal azotaemia
How is pre-renal azotaemia often resolved? (1)
Usually resolved once normal hydration is restored.
