title: The distribution of body water and general approach to the patient.
abstract: This article discusses some of the basic issues concerning fluid therapy in small animals. It is hoped that the reader is able to assess the fluid needs of a dog or cat presented for veterinary treatment. The remaining articles address particular fluid compositions and fluid choices in patients with a variety of diseases and electrolyte imbalances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Greco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001834:Body Water / Q000502:physiology*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002415:Cats; D003681:Dehydration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*