Polysaccharide based: hetastarch, pentastarch, dextran.Protein based: plasma, whole blood, hemoglobin products, albumin.Hypotonic : (Plasmalyte 56, Normosol M, 0.45% Saline, 2.5% Dextrose)Įditor's Comment - Use these for maintenance fluids.Hypertonic : (5% bicarbonate, 7.2% saline, 0.9 % sodium chloride with 5% dextrose).( Editor's Comment - Use this for replacement of deficits and NOT maintenance. Isotonic: Lactated Ringer's, Normosol R, Plasmalyte 148, 0.9% sodium chloride, isotonic bicarbonate).It is absolutely essential that the initial body weight be measured and subsequently recorded at regular time intervals. Dehydrated, hypoglycemic, recumbent foals with obvious gastrointestinal disease, or major fluid deficits due to diarrhea, evaporative losses. Weak or ill foals with weak to no suck reflex.Normal urine output is high, (5-10 ml/kg/h), and specific gravity is low (320 days.

Milk intake may approach 150-250 ml/kg/day in slightly older foals!! This large fluid intake is necessary to provide adequate energy from the all milk diet and to maintain appropriate digestive processes. Fluid intake as milk in the newborn nursing foal approaches 80 to 100 ml/kg/day (4 to 5 L/day in a 50 kg-foal) taken as small frequent feedings which may range from 100 to 300 ml every hour or two.These factors contribute to larger insensible fluid losses and a greater tendency to lose body heat in cool or drafty environments. Foals have a higher surface area to body weight ratio and a higher resting respiratory rate.

Premature animals may have even larger body fluid compartments relative to body weight.

25 mmHg), therefore increased hydrostatic pressure can lead to interstitial edema more rapidly than in adults ( overhydration). The colloid oncotic pressure of the plasma is lower than in adults (20 mmHg vs. 75% of the extracellular fluids are within the interstitium. The extracellular and intracellular ratio is 50%-50% in neonates compared to 40%-60% in adults. Compared to adults, water content of the body is 10% higher (75-80% vs. Relative to body weight total body water, plasma volume and extracellular fluid volume (ECF) are much larger in foals.

In normal foals urine output is very high and fecal output is low.

Any medical or physical disorder which impairs nursing or milk availability will have immediate and profound effects on energy and fluid balance.

Fluid and energy intake are directly linked on the normal all milk diet.

Increased risk of infection requires absolute adherence to strict asepsis protocols for intravenous catheterization and fluids.

Guidelines for Fluid Therapy:Įditor's Comment - Remember this take home point: Results of studies suggest that administration of an isotonic electrolyte fluid containing a physiologic concentration of sodium may not be appropriate for use in neonatal foals that require maintenance fluid therap y. The 4 decisions that have to be made in neonatal fluid therapy are: the type of fluids, the rate of administration, the goals of the therapy and the limits of specific fluid therapies.Įditor's Comment - For an emergency fluid resuscitation protocol go directly to the end of the chapter. Due to the neonates unique fluid spaces, maintenance of proper fluid balance and frequent monitoring are essential.

Neonatal maintenance fluid calculator