Basic Fluid Therapy for Veterinary Nurses Flashcards
Why are fluids so important in the body?
- Act as form of transport
- Act as solvent for electrolytes, non electrolytes, glucose and lipids
- pain relief can be added, slow release, small amount
What are electrolytes?
- Responsible for maintaining normal cellular function
- Concentrations are normally controlled by body’s homeostatic mechanisms
- extracellular fluids (intravascular and intestitial) contains large amounts of Na and Cl ions
- main intercellular ion is K
- Ca is very important for maintenance of normal cellular function especially nerve, muscle and heart
How much of our body is fluid?
60% of body weight is fluid
Younger animal 70-80%
Older animals less
What does ICF stand for?
Intercellular fluid
What is water balance?
Water input = water output
What is water input?
Drinking
Food
Metabolism
What is water output?
Divided into sensible loss and insensible loss
What is sensible loss?
Can be regulated by body
Urine
Lactation
Faeces
What is insensible loss?
Cannot be regulated by body - depends on ambient temp and body systems
Respiration
Skin
What is the daily average water loss in cats and dogs?
Dogs: 40-60 ml/kg/day
Cats: 60 ml/kg/day
Why might we give an animal fluid therapy?
To rehydrate Restore electrolyte balance Shock Maintenance Replace ongoing losses To give medication During surgery to maintain BP
Define fluid therapy
The administration of fluid to treat and maintain the hydration, blood volume, electrolyte and acid base status of the animal
Define electrolytes
A compound that conduct an electric current when in solution
Define dehydration
Water depletion
No single sign can indicate dehydration, which is not detectable until 5% or more of body water is lost
Define olguria
A low production of urine
Define polyguria
A high production of urine