What are intravenous fluids and how do they help your pet?
Better known as fluid therapy, it is the most commonly used treatment in pets. Fluid therapy helps pets recover from many conditions, illnesses and surgical procedures.
Fluid therapy is administered via a catheter which has been placed into the vein of your pets front leg. The rate of fluid is regulated by an electronic pump, similar to those used in human hospitals, based on individual body weight and hydration status. Fluid therapy is monitored closely by nurses and vets, and the rate is altered as required. The fluid type may differ depending on your pets health or electrolyte levels.
Fluid therapy is recommended for all pets undergoing anaesthesia, especially for those undergoing lengthy procedures or procedures associated with increased blood loss, with pre-existing medical conditions and for pets six years of age or older. Fluid therapy maintains your pet’s blood pressure during anaesthesia to ensure adequate blood supply to organs and assists in the metabolising and clearing of drugs from the patient’s system.
Patients receiving fluid therapy are placed on fluids early in the morning and remain on the drip until ready for discharge.
The main benefits of being on intravenous I/V fluids the day of an anaesthetic are:
- Correcting and maintaining dehydration
- Improving and maintaining blood pressure during the anaesthetic
- Helping to flush anaesthetic drugs from the body for a faster, smoother recovery.
If you would like more information regarding intravenous fluids you are welcome to call the trained staff at the clinic or discuss at your surgical admission appointment.
