Fluid therapy is important for many medical conditions in veterinary patients. The assessment of patient history, chief complaint, physical exam findings, and indicated additional testing will determine the need for fluid therapy. Fluid selection is dictated by the patient’s needs, including volume, rate, fluid composition required, and location the fluid is needed (e.g., interstitial versus intravascular). Therapy must be individualized, tailored to each patient, and constantly re-evaluated and reformulated according to changes in status. Needs may vary according to the existence of either acute or chronic conditions, patient pathology (e.g., acid-base, oncotic, electrolyte abnormalities), and comorbid conditions. All patients should be assessed for three types of fluid disturbances: changes in volume, changes in content, and/or changes in distribution. The goals of these guidelines are to assist the clinician in prioritizing goals, selecting appropriate fluids and rates of administration, and assessing patient response to therapy. These guidelines provide recommendations for fluid administration for anesthetized patients and patients with fluid disturbances.
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May/June 2013
Veterinary Practice Guidelines|
May 01 2013
2013 AAHA/AAFP Fluid Therapy Guidelines for Dogs and Cats*
Harold Davis, BA, RVT, VTS (ECC);
Harold Davis, BA, RVT, VTS (ECC)
University of California Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Davis, CA (H.D.); Wellington Veterinary Clinic, PC, Wellington, CO (T.J.); Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (A.J.); WestVet Animal Emergency and Specialty Center, Garden City, ID (P.K.); Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State, MS (R.M.); Mid Atlantic Cat Hospital, Cordova, MD (R.R.); and Veterinary Anesthesia Specialists, LLC, Milwaukie, OR (H.S.).
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Tracey Jensen, DVM, DABVP;
Tracey Jensen, DVM, DABVP
University of California Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Davis, CA (H.D.); Wellington Veterinary Clinic, PC, Wellington, CO (T.J.); Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (A.J.); WestVet Animal Emergency and Specialty Center, Garden City, ID (P.K.); Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State, MS (R.M.); Mid Atlantic Cat Hospital, Cordova, MD (R.R.); and Veterinary Anesthesia Specialists, LLC, Milwaukie, OR (H.S.).
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Anthony Johnson, DVM, DACVECC;
Anthony Johnson, DVM, DACVECC
University of California Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Davis, CA (H.D.); Wellington Veterinary Clinic, PC, Wellington, CO (T.J.); Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (A.J.); WestVet Animal Emergency and Specialty Center, Garden City, ID (P.K.); Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State, MS (R.M.); Mid Atlantic Cat Hospital, Cordova, MD (R.R.); and Veterinary Anesthesia Specialists, LLC, Milwaukie, OR (H.S.).
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Pamela Knowles, CVT, VTS (ECC);
Pamela Knowles, CVT, VTS (ECC)
University of California Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Davis, CA (H.D.); Wellington Veterinary Clinic, PC, Wellington, CO (T.J.); Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (A.J.); WestVet Animal Emergency and Specialty Center, Garden City, ID (P.K.); Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State, MS (R.M.); Mid Atlantic Cat Hospital, Cordova, MD (R.R.); and Veterinary Anesthesia Specialists, LLC, Milwaukie, OR (H.S.).
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Robert Meyer, DVM, DACVAA;
Robert Meyer, DVM, DACVAA
University of California Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Davis, CA (H.D.); Wellington Veterinary Clinic, PC, Wellington, CO (T.J.); Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (A.J.); WestVet Animal Emergency and Specialty Center, Garden City, ID (P.K.); Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State, MS (R.M.); Mid Atlantic Cat Hospital, Cordova, MD (R.R.); and Veterinary Anesthesia Specialists, LLC, Milwaukie, OR (H.S.).
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Renee Rucinsky, DVM, DAVBP (Feline);
Renee Rucinsky, DVM, DAVBP (Feline)
University of California Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Davis, CA (H.D.); Wellington Veterinary Clinic, PC, Wellington, CO (T.J.); Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (A.J.); WestVet Animal Emergency and Specialty Center, Garden City, ID (P.K.); Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State, MS (R.M.); Mid Atlantic Cat Hospital, Cordova, MD (R.R.); and Veterinary Anesthesia Specialists, LLC, Milwaukie, OR (H.S.).
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Heidi Shafford, DVM, PhD, DACVAA
University of California Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Davis, CA (H.D.); Wellington Veterinary Clinic, PC, Wellington, CO (T.J.); Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (A.J.); WestVet Animal Emergency and Specialty Center, Garden City, ID (P.K.); Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State, MS (R.M.); Mid Atlantic Cat Hospital, Cordova, MD (R.R.); and Veterinary Anesthesia Specialists, LLC, Milwaukie, OR (H.S.).
Correspondence: [email protected] (H.S.) and [email protected] (R.R)
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J Am Anim Hosp Assoc (2013) 49 (3): 149–159.
Citation
Harold Davis, Tracey Jensen, Anthony Johnson, Pamela Knowles, Robert Meyer, Renee Rucinsky, Heidi Shafford; 2013 AAHA/AAFP Fluid Therapy Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1 May 2013; 49 (3): 149–159. doi: https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-5868
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