Lisa M. Powell, DVM, offers a great review of fluid therapies and when they’re critical.
Source: Veterinary Team Brief, January 26, 2016, weekly newsletter.
Fluid therapy, a mainstay treatment, is indicated in a variety of disease states that may result in mild dehydration to severe hypovolemic shock. Depending on the disease and its severity, fluids administered either subcutaneously or intravenously may be warranted. Fluids include crystalloids, synthetic colloids, and biological fluids (e.g. red blood cells, plasma, concentrated albumin transfusions). This article focuses on crystalloid fluid therapy.