Basic Fluid Therapy for Veterinary Nurses Flashcards
(42 cards)
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
What percentage fluid deficit with what clinic signs are there?
0-5% - no clear signs, may be thirst, depression, urine concentration
5-7% - skin elasticity lowered, sunken eyes, dry MM, pulse rapid, low CRT, oliguria, low BP
7-10% - Anuria, cold
extremities, weak pulse, skin permanently tented
10-12% - collapse, progressive shock
How do we assess/monitor dehydration?
- History
- Physical exam - body cond, tenting, coat, MM, CRT, weight
- Clinical signs - central venous pressure, body weight, urine output
- clinical pathology
- resp rate
- pulse rate
- depression
- thirst
What clinical signs are there?
Central venous pressure - cup will fall when sever dehydration ensues
Body weight - helpful indicator of you have good nursing practice and records, weight increases with hydration / decreases with dehydration
Urine output - measures via active collection (catheter) or passive collection (weighing bedding, normal = 1-2 ml/kg/day
0.5 ml/kg/day = oliguria
How can we assess dehydration using clinical pathology?
PCV - for every 1% increase in PCV animal had lost 10ml/kg, guide for assessment of clinical improvement
Bloods - haemoglobin and total serum proteins both rise in dehydration
Urine specific gravity - elevated
Six questions should be asked before starting fluid therapy…
Is fluid therapy indicated? What type of fluid? What route of admin? How rapid? How much? When should be discontinued?
What are two most indications of fluid therapy?
- Replacement of fluid deficits in dehydration
- correction or perfusion deficits in hypovolaemia (decreased blood volume)
What is shock?
A condition where effective capillary perfusion has been severe impaired, resulting in deterioration of cell function. Blood flow has become insufficient to provide tissues with O2 and nutrients and to remove wastes which build to toxic levels
What are the 3 types of shock?
- Hypovolaemic shock
- Vasculogenic shock
- Cardiogenic shock
