Fluid and electrolyte balance in critical patients.
Recognition and appropriate management of fluid and electrolyte disorders in critical patients is extremely important. In many cases, these secondary problems are more complicated and more serious than the initiating disease process. A severely ill diabetic patient, for example, is more likely to die from dehydration, hyperosmolality, metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia or hypophosphatemia than from hyperglycemia or lack of insulin therapy. Proper fluid therapy and treatment of electrolyte abnormalities make a major difference in the survival rate of critically ill animals.
Garvey
M S
MS
Department of Medicine, Animal Medical Center, New York, New York.
D000818:Animals; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*