Types of Intravenous Fluids

Types of Intravenous Fluids are Crystalloid, Colloids, Blood and blood products.

Crystalloid

Crystalloid are Dextrose or electrolyte solutions increase intravascular and interstitial fluid volume: Isotonic .9% NaCl, lactated Ringers Hypotonic (5% dextrose in water, 45% NaCl).

Colloids

Do not diffuse easily through capillary walls Fluids stay in vascular compartment; increase osmotic pressure: albumin, plasma protein and dextran.

Blood and blood products: Treatment of haemorrhage Restore coagulation properties.

Glucocorticoid: the role of glucocorticoid in shock state has remained debatable even in man and small animal. Beneficial effects (dexamethasone @10mg/kg, prednisolone @ 30mg/kg) include: increase in cardiac output, decrease in peripheral resistance, increase in metabolism of lactic acid, improved efficiency of glycolytic enzymes, stabilisation of lysosomal enzymes and interference with endotoxin- induced immune reaction.

Vasoactive drugs are used to modify sympathetic and adrenal responses. Dopamine is most popular vasoactive drugs used in shock.

Sodium bicarbonate is indicated to counteract metabolic acidosis caused by accumulation of lactic acid in shock state.

Broad spectrum antibiotics are indicated to combat wide-ranging secondary bacterial infection and diuretics for over dehydration or poor urine output.

Drugs acting on cardiovascular system are also indicated to improve blood pressure and to stimulate blood flow. Digitalis and adrenaline are drug of choice in this case.

The animal should be kept in a warm and well ventilated room without exposing direct heat.

Thrombolytic therapy (drugs that dissolve clots as they form) may be considered in the case of myocardial infarction or pulmonary embolism.

Treatment with antioxidants that help rid the body of free radicals (harmful by-products of the oxidative process) may protect against some types of shock-

• Carnitine may be helpful in treating cardiogenic, septic, and hypovolemic shock
• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an antioxidant, may be beneficial in treating hypovolemic and septic shock
• Glutamine added to parenteral nutrition may protect the intestines and prevent complications from septic shock
• N-acetylcysteine (NAC) improved the immune system response in septic shock caused by endotoxins (toxins released from bacterial cells)
• Omega-3 fatty acids compared with omega-6 fatty acids may protect against the harmful effects of septic shock
• Vitamins B3 and B ₁₂ -nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) may help protect against bacterial endotoxin that causes septic shock