The American Animal Hospital Association has released a detailed refresher on fluid therapy for dogs and cats that stresses the need for individualized plans.
“The guidelines move away from the traditional one-size-fits-all approach and focus on tailoring fluid therapy to the specific needs of each patient based on their clinical status and underlying conditions,” said Dr. Mariana Angelica Pardo, who co-chaired the guidelines task force.
Key highlights and recommendations from the 2024 AAHA Fluid Therapy Guidelines for Dogs and Cats include:
- When developing a fluid therapy plan, consider each body fluid compartment, such as intracellular, interstitial and intravascular. Each might require a different fluid prescription tailored to the patient’s needs.
- Customize a fluid rate rather than a blanket one, no matter the patient’s condition, to help prevent harmful side effects.
- Avoid excessive fluid administration to prevent an overload and potentially life-threatening complications.
- Evaluate the patient’s fluid balance regularly and adjust the prescription based on the patient’s clinical status and treatment response.
- Choose an appropriate fluid administration route based on the severity of the patient’s fluid deficit and ability to take fluids orally or through a feeding tube.
- Fluids, like any medication, must be used to achieve therapeutic goals and minimize complications.
The guidelines offer recommendations for specific scenarios, such as a sick patient’s anesthesia, resuscitation and treatment. They also address various fluid types, including crystalloids, colloids, albumin and other transfusion products.
“Effective fluid prescription hinges on meticulous initial assessment, judicious bolus administration and frequent patient assessment,” said task force member Dr. Libby Ramirex. “Throughout the guidelines, there is a consistent emphasis on the precision required in fluid therapy dosing and ongoing patient evaluation.”
A summary of the 2024 AAHA Fluid Therapy Guidelines for Dogs and Cats is at bit.ly/3xCoGZu.
AAHA members may log in to download the entire document.