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→Stabilisation
Since collapsed, bradycardic animals are unlikely to survive for long, urgent intervention is required to stabilise these patients. '''Intra-venous 0.9% sodium chloride (saline) solution''' should be provided at shock rates to restore normovolaemia and begin to correct the electrolyte imbalances. Additional '''glucose''' can be added to fluids in hypoglycaemic animals but blood glucose levels should be monitored closely if this is undertaken.
Since collapsed, bradycardic animals are unlikely to survive for long, urgent intervention is required to stabilise these patients. '''Intra-venous 0.9% sodium chloride (saline) solution''' should be provided at shock rates to restore normovolaemia and begin to correct the electrolyte imbalances. Additional '''glucose''' can be added to fluids in hypoglycaemic animals but blood glucose levels should be monitored closely if this is undertaken.
When the diagnosis has been made with some certainty, '''intra-venous glucocorticoid replacement therapy''' can be initiated together with a '''mineralocorticoid'''. Dexamethasone is the corticosteroid of choice as it has greater mineralocorticoid activity than other products. Although there is an intra-muscular injectable mineralocorticoid (desoxycorticosterone acetate) available in the USA, this is not usually required for stabilisation.
When the diagnosis has been made with some certainty, '''intra-venous glucocorticoid replacement therapy''' can be initiated together with a '''mineralocorticoid'''. Hydrocortisone sodium succinate is the steroid of choice as it is short acting and provides equal glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid activity. Although there is an intra-muscular injectable mineralocorticoid (desoxycorticosterone acetate) available in the USA, this is not usually required for stabilisation.
[[Gastroprotective Drugs|'''Gastro-protectant drugs''']] (such as sucralfate, ranitidine or omeprazole) may be administered to vomiting animals and '''antibiotics''' should be provided to any animals that develop pyrexia.
[[Gastroprotective Drugs|'''Gastro-protectant drugs''']] (such as sucralfate, ranitidine or omeprazole) may be administered to vomiting animals and '''antibiotics''' should be provided to any animals that develop pyrexia.