Emergency fluid resuscitation – are more fluids always the answer?

Intravenous fluid therapy in cases of hypovolaemic or distributive shock is lifesaving. With current literature moving aware from the use of ‘shock rate’ fluids, we will review the nuances associated with the administration of intravenous fluid therapy in the collapsed patient. In this session we will work through real emergency cases to appreciate how response to intravenous fluid resuscitation may vary depending on a patient’s presentation and underlying disease process. We will also consider when to question if intravenous fluid therapy may be insufficient to stabilise a patient and what treatment options can be considered in these situations.

• •Review the presentations of shock where fluid therapy is required in cats and dogs
• •Examine the evidence base for fluid therapy prescribing
• •Identify when fluid therapy alone is insufficient to resuscitate a patient