Fluid therapy Flashcards
what are 4 reasons/goals to administer fluids to cows?
- correct dehydration of animal
- correct dehydration of rumen
- as a carrier for medications
- to stimulate appetite
are dehydrated cows usually acidotic or alkalotic?
alkalotic
how can we measure hydration status in cattle?
- eyes – if sunken = >7% dehydration
- skin tent (of neck or upper/lower lids)- for every second skin stays tented = 1% dehydration (remember if neck is turned towards you, skin will be LOOSER and this will falsely elevate level of dehydration; opposite it true)
- paralumbar fossa (if empty –> dehydrated)
What does an empty paralumbar fossa indicate?
off feed or dehydration
if a dairy cow is off feed, there are at least 5% dehydrated
how do we calculate a fluid deficit?
body wt (kg) x % dehydration
= fluid deficit in LITERS
if you calculate using pounds, then the fluid deficit will be in PINTS.
Calculate the fluid deficit for the following scenario:
1400 lb cow
8% dehydrated
1400 lbs x 0.08 = 112 pints
112 / 2.2 = 50 liters
For what % dehydration are the following routes of fluid administration indicated?
A. oral fluids
B. IV + oral fluids
Do oral fluids if <8% dehydrated
Do IV + oral if >8% dehydration
How do we deliver oral fluids in cattle?
Cattle pump system (CPS)
Tube placed 1/3 down esophagus
Fluids are pumped in; pumps 1 int per pull on the way up.
Why can oral fluid delivery be dangerous?
If the tube is not in the correct location, you can pump fluids into their lungs and kill them.
Also, you can pump faster than the cow can swallow which will result in regurg, aspiration, and death.
Know where you placed the tube (palpate it within the esophagus) and do NOT pump too fast (5-10 seconds on the upstroke)
What all is included in an oral drench?
Warm water (0.5-0.75 gal/100# BW)
1. calcium
2. propylene, glycol, or proprionate (glucose precursors)
3. KCl (replace K losses)
4. Alfalfa meal (bacterial growth substrate)
5. Salt (replace NaCl losses)
6. lactobacillus (repopulate rumen)
what would be an indication to be extremely careful with oral fluid therapy?
A scenario with any sort of abdominal/rumen distention (bloat, HBS, etc.)
The distention limits the amt of oral fluids you can administer because you do not want to further increase abdominal distention. This could cause problems with respiration and death.
You can get the gas off first, then give fluids.
What supplies do you need for IV fluid administration in cattle?
If < 1 liter, use 14g, 2” needle
if > 1 liter, use 14g 2” catheter
if longterm placement, use 14g, 3.25” catheter
____________ saline is an economical way to rehydrate moderate-to-severely dehydrated ruminants.
hypertonic saline
T/F: The maximum amount of hypertonic saline you can safely deliver is 1-2 mL/kg. If any higher, you risk thrombophlebitis and hypervolemia.
false – the dose is 2-3 mL/lb
you must give enough in order to establish a gradient. Giving one bottle is a waste of time.
T/F: you need to follow hypertonic saline with oral fluids or have the cow drink
true
but you do not need to follow with isotonic IV fluids.
