Chp. 4 Fluid Therapy Flashcards
When is fluid therapy indicated?
-Multitude of circumstances in which animal is unable to compensate for changes in fluid, EL balance
-Nature of therapy specific to each circumstance, based on individual patient’s needs
What is the preferred ROA for fluids? Why?
IV -> more precise, controlled delivery to the patient and closer to the heart/circulation
What are common sites for IV catheterization in dogs and cats?
-cephalic
-medial (cat), lateral (dog) saphenous
-jugular veins
Are there other routes of administration that can be used for fluid administration?
-IO, IP, PO, subcutaneous
-IO = more invasive, helpful with small patients when IV catheterization is challenging, fluids can be delivered at similar rate
-Other routes have limitations: slower/unreliable absorption, potential to cause peritonitis, infection
What terminology used to classify types of fluids?
-crystalloids
-colloids
Definition of crystalloids
Those containing ions/solutes that redistribute to all fluid compartments within the body
Colloid solutions
Contain large molecular weight substances that remain predominantly within the vascular compartment
What defines a balanced or unbalanced crystalloid solution?
-Balanced if components are similar to those in ECF
-Unbalanced if not the case
Crystalloids classified based on tonicity. What is the basis of this classification?
-Hypertonic, hypotonic, isotonic based on osmolarity relative to that of blood and ECF
Some crystalloid solutions are considered acidifying. What is an example of such a solution and why is that term used?
-NaCl = acidifying crystalloid solution -> unbalanced solution that contains no bicarbonate precursor
-When large volumes administered rapidly, may result in dilution acidemia (by virtue of diluting plasma bicarbonate)
Despite the acidifying effect of NaCl, there are circumstances in which normal saline is the replacement fluid of choice. What are some examples?
-Metabolic alkalosis (pyloric outflow tract obstruction)
-Patient that is hyperkalemic as a result of its primary disease (Addison’s disease, ruptured bladder)
In hyperkalemic patients, although normal saline is useful bc it does not contain K, an acidifying solution may be undesirable. Is there a way to modify saline to decrease this acidifying effect?
-Can add Nabicarb to solution
-Since plasma normally contains 18-24mEq/L of bicarbonate, amount can be added to 1L saline to minimize acidifying effect of saline alone
What does replacement therapy mean?
-At presentation, hydration status will determine initial replacement fluid therapy
-Addresses deficit fluid volume
-Ex: if 10kg patient is 10% dehydrated, then 1L balanced electrolyte solution will constitute the replacement component of fluid to be administered
What does maintenance therapy mean?
-Directed at maintaining normal sensible losses (eg urinary production) and insensible losses (respiratory, cutaneous)
-Sometimes termed normal ongoing losses
-Based on patient’s body weight, maintenance energy requirements
What does the term ongoing losses refer to?
Vomiting, diuresis
-Losses can be quantified -> weighing animal as needed during the day, and then replaced by a volume per weight basis
What are maintenance energy requirements in a cat?
50-60 kcal/kg/day
What are maintenance energy requirements in a dog?
70-80 kcal/kg/day
What is normal urine output in small animal patients?
1-2mL/kg/hr
What is the commonly used daily fluid requirement for small animal patients?
25-50mL/kg/day
Ideally, what types of fluids should be used to replace losses?
Isotonic solutions containing composition similar to that of ECF generally used for replacement of losses
–maintenance fluids contain lower sodium and higher potassium levels that better match composition of sensible and insensible losses
–Solutions to replace abnormal ongoing losses should be selected based on presumed or measured composition of the loss