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Principles of Fluid Therapy (view source)
Revision as of 23:02, 11 April 2009
, 23:02, 11 April 2009no edit summary
'''Fluid Therapy''' is the administration of fluids to a patient as a treatment or preventative measure. It can be administered via an intravenous, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous routes. 60% of total bodyweight is accounted for by the total body water. This can further be divided into intracellular or extracellular as shown below.
'''Fluid Therapy''' is the administration of fluids to a patient as a treatment or preventative measure. It can be administered via an intravenous, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous routes. 60% of total bodyweight is accounted for by the total body water. This can further be divided into intracellular or extracellular as shown below.
[[Image:Body Compartments.jpg|Right|]]
[[Image:Body Compartments.jpg|center|]]
Fluid therapy is indicated when there is a loss of fluid to any part of these compartments. The severity of the fluid loss, and the compartment which is has been lost from with influence the choice of fluid.
Fluid therapy is indicated when there is a loss of fluid to any part of these compartments. The severity of the fluid loss, and the compartment which is has been lost from with influence the choice of fluid.
# Ongoing Losses
# Ongoing Losses
''Replacements'' are calculated based on the level of dehydration. Dehydration is based upon clinical assessment of each individual patient. Most commonly, skin tent is used for assessment. To calculate the amount required for replacement, the percentage dehydration is used in the following calculation.
''Replacements'' are calculated based on the level of dehydration. Dehydration is based upon clinical assessment of each individual patient. Most commonly, skin tent is used for assessment. To calculate the amount required for replacement within a 24 hour period, the percentage dehydration is used in the following calculation.
<center>
{| border="1" cellpadding="1"
|-style="background:#B0E0E6; color:black"
!'''Replacement''' = ''% Dehydration'' x ''Bodyweight (kg)'' x 10
|-
|}
</center>
''Maintainance'' is the basic rate which a patient requires during a 24 hour period. It is commonly calculated as 50ml/kg/24hr, or 2ml/kg/hr.
''Ongoing losses'' are calculated based on a predicted fluid amount lost by a patient within a 24 hour period. Common losses include vomitting and diarrhoea. It is often helpful here if the owners are able to give a detailed history as this makes it easier to predict the pattern of losses. To calculate the fluid requirement, the following calculation is used.
<center>
{| border="1" cellpadding="1"
|-style="background:#B0E0E6; color:black"
!'''Ongoing losses''' = ''Amount per loss (ml/kg)'' x ''Bodyweight (kg) x ''No. of losses''
|-
|}
</center>