Dehydration

Question 0

What are 5 possible causes of dehydration?

Answer 0

• Inadequate water intake
• Excessive fluid losses from vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Polyuria without compensatory polydipsia
• Peripheral edema

Question 1

Fluid loss from intracellular and/or interstitial spaces, occasionally the vascular space resulting in a loss of total body water is called what?

Answer 1

Dehydration

Question 2

What are 3 clinical signs of dehydration?

Answer 2

• Decreased skin turgor
• Tacky or dry mucous membranes
• Sunken eyes

Question 3

Dehydration is measured on a subjective grading scale based on what percentages?
In what percentage range are clinical signs of volume depletion (shock) such as increased CRT and pale gums seen?

Answer 3

• 5-15%

- 10-12%

Question 4

What are the 4 categories of dehydration and their corresponding percentages?

Answer 4

• Subclinical (<5%)
• Mild (5-7% = 7%)
• Moderate (8-11% = 10%)
• Severe (12-15% = 13%)

Question 5

Are there any clinical signs for subclinical dehydration?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

What are 2 classic clinical signs of mild dehydration?

Answer 6

• Subtle loss of skin elasticity

- Tacky mucous membranes

Question 7

What are 4 classic clinical signs of moderate dehydration?

Answer 7

• Prolonged skin tent
• Tacky mucous membranes
• Signs of volume depletion appear
• Prolonged capillary refill time (CRT > 2 sec)

Question 8

What are 6 classic clinical signs of severe dehydration?

Answer 8

• Skin tent stands in place
• Tacky mucous membranes
• Sunken eyes
• CRT > 2 sec
• Depressed
• Overt signs of shock (tachycardia, poor pulse)

Question 9

What is the difference between dehydration and shock?

Answer 9

• Dehydration: fluid loss from intracellular and/or interstitial space; sometimes vascular space if severe dehydration.
• Hypovolemic shock: fluid loss from vascular space; results in inadequate oxygen deliver to tissues.

Question 10

What are 3 factors to know when calculating a fluid plan to combat dehydration?

Answer 10

• Dehydration deficit
• Daily maintenance
• Ongoing fluid losses

Question 11

What does the fluid deficit in liters equal?

Give an example.

Answer 11

• Fluid deficit in liters = % dehydration x current body weight in kg
• 10% dehydration x 10 kg = 1 liter needed

Question 12

What is the normal daily maintenance range?

What end are dogs vs cats?

Answer 12

• 40-60 mL/kg/day

- Dog high end, cat low end

Question 13

What do you do to the maintenance rate during fever?

Answer 13

Increase it an extra 15-20 mL/kg/day

Question 14

An estimate of losses that occur from diarrhea, vomiting, polyuria or “third space” sequestration help to calculate what?

Answer 14

Ongoing fluid losses

Question 15

What is one way to compensate for ongoing fluid losses?

Answer 15

Double the maintenance dose.

Question 16

Usually 80-100% of the calculated fluid deficit is replaced during what time frame?

Answer 16

In the first 24 hours.

Question 17

Often half or more of the dehydration deficit is replaced in what time frame?

Answer 17

Within first 4-6 hours.