Equine Fluid Therapy

Question 1

what major signs would you expect to see in a patient that’s 5% dehydrated?

Answer 1

moist to slightly tacky mucous membranes, decreased urine output

Question 2

what major signs would you expect to see in a patient that’s 8% dehydrated?

Answer 2

dry mucous membranes, 2-3 CRT, HR 40-60 bpm, and decreased arterial blood pressure

Question 3

what major signs would you expect to see in a patient that’s 10-12% dehydrated?

Answer 3

dry mucous membranes, >4 CRT, HR 60+ bpm, reduced jugular fill, barely detectable peripheral pulse, and sunken eyes

Question 4

what major signs would you expect to see in a patient that’s 12-15% dehydrated?

Answer 4

sunken eyes, shock, 15% > death

Question 5

what are the clinical signs associated with hypovolemic shock?

Answer 5

prolonged CRT, decreased jugular filling, tachycardia, decreased pulse pressures, cold extremities, and decreased skin turgor

Question 6

when would you not administer fluids orally (either by animal’s own volition or placing a nasogastric tube)?

Answer 6

when theres a presence of gastric distension, “reflux” and ileus

Question 7

when placing an IV catheter for fluid resuscitation, in what direction do you want the flow?

Answer 7

towards the heart

Question 8

what are the two most commonly used veins when placing an IV catheter for fluid resuscitation?

Answer 8

jugular and lateral thoracic

Question 9

what are the % for the following fluid compartments?

• TBW
• intracellular
• extracellular

Answer 9

TBW: 60%
Intracellular: 30-40%
Extracellular: 20-30%

Question 10

what are the two major causes of dehydration secondary to disease states by internal or external losses to the vascular and/or intracellular space?

Answer 10

sequestration (GIT, abdomen, or thorax) and increased loss (diarrhea, renal failure, extreme exercise)

Question 11

what change in HR would you observe in a patient that needs fluid therapy?

Answer 11

tachycardia

Question 12

why must you look at PCV in conjunction with TP when determining whether a patient is dehydrated?

Answer 12

splenocontraction can increase PCV and overestimate degree of dehydration

Question 13

for each 2-3% increase in % dehydration over 5%, PCV will increase by what?

Answer 13

5%

Question 14

what two laboratory indicators might you look at and underestimate dehydration due to hypoproteinemia?

Answer 14

albumin and TP

Question 15

T/F: dehydration is the ONLY possible cause of hyperproteinemia

Answer 15

TRUE