Fluid Needs in Dehydrated Horses
Determining Factor | Formula Used | Amount for a 500-kg Horse |
|---|---|---|
Fluid deficit | % dehydration × body weight (kg) | 4%–10% × 500 = 20–50 L |
Maintenance | 50 mL/kg/24 h | 50 × 500 = 25 L/24 h |
Fluid losses | Estimate reflux or diarrhea volume | |
Rate of administration | 50% in 1–2 h; 50% throughout rest of day | 20–35 L in first 1–2 h; remainder distributed throughout next 23 h |
Adapted, with permission, from Zimmel DN, Management of pain and dehydration in horses with colic. In Current Therapy in Equine Medicine, 5, 2003, Robinson, NE, (ed), Elsevier. | ||