FLUID THERAPY

Question 1

What is thrombophlebitis?

Answer 1

A condition where inflammation of the tunica intima occurs, clots begin to form.
Occurs spontaneously.

Question 2

What are some causes of thrombophlebitis?

Answer 2

Patient factors.
Poor cannula placement technique.
Cannula related factors.
Poor asepsis.
Pharmaceuticals.
Poor identification of phlebitis.

Question 3

What are the signs on thrombophlebitis?

Answer 3

Hard.
Painful.
Palpable.
Inflamed.
Swelling around cannula.
Cellulitis.
Erythema.
Secretion from cannula insertion point.

Question 4

What are the two methods of assessing thrombophlebitis?

Answer 4

Ward phlebitis scale
Visual infusion phlebitis score (VIP)

Question 5

What are the three classifications of thrombophlebitis?

Answer 5

Mechanical - cannula too large, placement near valve or joint.
Infectious - bacterial colonise on inflammatory debris.
Chemical - drugs with a low pH linked to phlebitis (e.g., antibiotics, hypertonic solutions, potassium).

Question 6

What are the two main water sources?

Answer 6

Ingestion - eating & drinking.
Metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.

Question 7

What is an insensible loss?

Answer 7

Inevitable losses/cannot be regulated.
Lost in - skin & respiratory tract.
Accounts for 20ml/kg/24hrs.

Question 8

What are sensible losses?

Answer 8

Controlled by the animal - lost in urine & faeces.
Faeces accounts for 10-20ml/kg/24hrs.
Urine accounts for 20ml/kg/24hrs.

Question 9

What is the normal intake for a healthy animal to maintain normal water balance?

Answer 9

50-60ml/kg/24hrs

Question 10

What are some additional losses?

Answer 10

Vomiting/diarrhoea
Lactation
Burns

Question 11

What are the four types of fluid abnormalities?

Answer 11

Primary water depletion
Water & electrolyte depletion
Potassium depletion
Potassium accumulation

Question 12

What are the causes for primary water depletion?

Answer 12

Prolonged inappetance.
Water deprivation.
Diabetes insipidus.
Fever, Pyrexia.
Excessive panting.

Question 13

What are some causes of water & electrolyte depletion?

Answer 13

Vomiting, diarrhoea.
Intestinal obstruction.
Pyometra.
Wounds/burns.

Question 14

What are some causes of potassium depletion?

Answer 14

Prolonged inappetence.
Vomiting, prolonged diarrhoea.
Prolonged diuretic therapy.

Question 15

What are some causes of potassium accumulation?

Answer 15

Ruptured bladder.\
Urethral obstruction.
Acute renal failure.
Addison’s disease.

Question 16

What is the acid base balance?

Answer 16

Refers to mechanisms responsible for maintaining & correcting concentration of hydrogen ions within the body.

Question 17

What is an acid?

Answer 17

A substance that gives up hydrogen ions when it dissolves in water.

Question 18

What is an alkali?

Answer 18

A substance that can combine with hydrogen ions liberated by the dissociation of an acid.

Question 19

What is the normal blood pH value?

Answer 19

7.35 - 7.45

Question 20

What are the three mechanisms that keep pH balanced?

Answer 20

Buffers
Respiratory
Renal

Question 21

What is the function of the respiratory system in maintain pH?

Answer 21

Controls level of CO2
Increased respiration will remove CO2
Decreased respiration will retain CO2

Question 22

What is the most common indication for a blood transfusion?

Answer 22

Anaemia (to prevent hypoxia)
& tissue/organ ischaemia

Question 23

What are the clinical parameters that indicate a blood transfusion is needed?

Answer 23

PCV drops to approx 20%-25%
Pale MM
Poor CRT
Low BP
Abnormal blood lactate levels

Question 24

What are the three blood types in cats?

Answer 24

A, B, AB

Question 25

What requirements are needed for a canine donor?

Answer 25

Fit & healthy At least 25kg, between 1-8yrs Vaccinated Not travelled Lean, not fat

Question 26

What are the requirements for a feline blood donor?

Answer 26

Ideally indoor cat Vaccinated At least 5kgs Negative for feline infectious diseases.

Question 27

How long can CPDA be stored for? CPDA = citrate phosphate dextrose adenine

Answer 27

4 weeks (Remember- amount of letters = amount of weeks stored for)

Question 28

How long can ACD be stored for? ACD = acid citrate dextrose

Answer 28

3 weeks (Remember - amount of letters = amount of weeks stored for).

Question 29

How many blood types do dogs have?

Answer 29

More than 12 blood groups

Question 30

What is the maximum canine donation volume?

Answer 30

16-18mls/kg

Question 31

What is the typical feline whole blood unit?

Answer 31

45mls

Question 32

What vein is commonly used for blood collection?

Answer 32

The jugular vein

Question 33

What temperature should blood be warmed to if previously been in warm storage?

Answer 33

37 degrees

Question 34

What should you monitor the recipient for during the transfusion?

Answer 34

Monitor closely for 30-60 mins. Monitor vital signs every 15 mins. Measure PCV halfway through. Observe for transfusion reaction.

Question 35

What are the clinical signs of a transfusion reaction?

Answer 35

Anxiety - restlessness, crying, discomfort, panting. Tachycardia, tachypnoea Hypotension Muscle tremors Vomiting/nausea Pyrexia Facial oedema Urticaria Dyspnoea Collapse/convulsions

Question 36

What should you do if a transfusion reaction is suspected?

Answer 36

Stop blood administration & speak to vet surgeon.