Dehydration assements
Physical examination should be carried out which relates to the fluid content of the interstitial compartments
Moisten mucus membranes
Skin turgor
Presents and degree of globe retraction
All parameters must be taken into account together as there may be additional conditions that may alter one of the above. For example, the mucous membrane may apper moist after the animal vomiting also skin turgor can be effect by the amount of subcutaneous fats that is present.
Peri-operative fluid
fluids are lost through evaporation during surgery therefore fluid therapy during anaesthesia provides a number of benefits –
it provides the patient with a iv line for emergency access
counteracting of some of the detrimental effects of various sedative and anaesthetics
compensates for maitance and ongoing losses – eg mild blood loss, excessive evaporation from exposed tissue during surgery.
Hypovolemic shock
When replace a serve blood loss with a crystalloid replacement volume should equal 3 times the blood loss.
Initial infusion can be up to 90ml/kg/hr. in cats and 50ml/kg/hr. in dog. While giving fluids the animal must be continually monitored and rates reduced as soon as clinical possible.
When calculating the total volume requirements 3 factors must be considered
The deficit
Maintenance requirements
Additional ongoing losses
To calculate the deficit
Deficit (ml) = Dehydration % x Weight (kg) X 10
Calculate maitance
Maintenance (ml) = 50ml x weight (kg)
For other different sizes of breeds
Small breeds=60ml/kg/day
Large=40ml/kg/day
Additional ongoing losses
Loss of vomiting or diarrhoea (ml) = 4ml x weight (kg) x episodes
So all together
Total 24-hour fluid requirements = Deficit + Maintenance + Ongoing Losses
1. List 5 post op check that should be made?
You should be checking the
a. heart rate,
b. pluse rate,
c. temperature of animal,
B. respiration rate,
a. pain
b. urine output
c. faecal output
C. wound appearance
D. vomiting incidents
a. signs of shock
b. wound drainage.
2. Which breed should you take special consideration for when- in tubing and why?
Brachycephalic type dogs – boxers, French bull dogs, Persian.
3. Describe the anatomical positioning of the lingual artery?
Ventral surface of the tounge.
How do you locate the heart, where would you expect to find it?
You would locate the heart using a stheascope and you can also locate it by dragging the elbow of the dog back and that it should be situated in the area where the point touches the skin. Between ribs 3 and 6 on the left hand side.
What is the definition of tachypnoea?
Abnormal rapid breathing
4. What dose red mucus membrane indicate?
Distributed shock
Red mucus membranes may indicate
Give 5 signs of haemorrhage?
a. There may be blood,
b. animal may not be using limbs/ weakness
c. low crt
d. shallow breathing
e. bruising
f. dyspnoea
g. melena
h. signs of shock.
Name 4 ways to control arterial bleeding?
a. Direct digital Pressure
b. Pressure points
c. Tourniquet
d. Arterial forceps
