Chapter 64 Daily Intravenous Fluid Therapy
INTRODUCTION
Intravenous fluid therapy is vital for the management of shock, dehydration, and maintenance in animals that require parenteral fluid therapy (see Chapters 61, 62, and 63, Peripheral Venous Catheterization, Intraosseous Catheterization, and Central Venous Catheterization, respectively, and Chapter 65 and 66, Shock Fluids and Fluid Challenge and Transfusion Medicine, respectively). This chapter focuses primarily on the distribution of total body water, patient assessment, and the delivery of synthetic intravenous fluids to maintain normal water, electrolyte, and acid-base status in critically ill dogs and cats that are hemodynamically stable. Because critically ill animals often have fluid and electrolyte balance derangements, overall recovery often depends on recognition and appropriate treatment of these disorders, in addition to diagnosing and treating the primary disease process.
TOTAL BODY WATER

Figure 64-1 The distribution of total body water (TBW). ECF, Extracellular fluid; ICF, intracellular fluid.