Fluid Therapy

When your pet is admitted to the veterinary hospital for a surgical procedure, or taken to the emergency facility for urgent care, veterinarians agree that the most important thing to do right away is to insert a catheter in the patient's vein (usually in the front or back leg). This is important in order to administer IV fluids or drugs that may be needed. Veterinary technicians are experienced in inserting catheters and always have the patient's best interest at heart, so feel confident that this is considered an important part of the treatment!

During any anesthetic procedure, maintaining the body's fluids becomes very important – not only because your pet has been fasting prior to the surgery, but because the drugs used during surgery have negative affects on the fluid system, which then affect the cardiovascular system. Administering IV fluids during these procedures is important. Your vet should explain to you why the fluids are administered and how it will be done. They may start administering the fluids some time before the surgery and continue for a period after the surgery.

AAHW-052/R2 March 2008