Vet110: Medical Nursing for Veterinary Technician Research Project
Alise Rector
58683529
2/1/2026
, Part 1. Fluid Administration
1. Accurate assessment of patient hydration status is an essential skill for veterinary
professionals. While no single factor can easily measure patient hydration, veterinary technicians
can learn to use a combination of patient history context clues, physical exam parameters, and
laboratory tests to precisely estimate a patient’s hydration status. Physical exam parameters that
are commonly used to assess a patient’s hydration status include skin turgor, tackiness of mucous
membranes, sunken eyes, changes in heart rate, and body weight (Beiter et al., 2022, p.764). A
veterinary patient’s level of dehydration can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. The
symptoms associated with each level are described in detail in the “Fluid Therapy and
Transfusion Medicine” reading assignment provided by Penn Foster (n.d.-a). Symptoms of mild
(5%) dehydration include minimal loss of skin turgor, moderately dry mucous membranes, and
normal presenting eyes on examination. Moderate (8%) symptoms of dehydration to look out for
in a patient include moderate loss of skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, a weak and rapid
pulse, and eyes that appear sunken in the socket. Severe (10%) dehydration presents as
significant loss of skin turgor, considerably dry mucous membranes, a rapid heart rate, weak
pulse and low blood pressure, severely sunken and dry eyes, and central nervous system
symptoms (Penn Foster, n.d.-a).
2. According to Beiter et al., (2022), there are three phases of fluid therapy: resuscitation,
replacement, and maintenance. The resuscitation phase is meant to restore vascular volume loss
during hypovolemia and shock. The replacement phase aims to correct dehydration by replacing
lost body fluids and electrolytes while providing maintenance fluid requirements. Once patient
, hydration is restored, they can be switched to the maintenance phase if they are unable to drink
normally on their own (Beiter et al., 2022, p. 756-758).
In this example, an 8-pound, female cat presented with 10% dehydration and no signs of
shock, vomiting or diarrhea. For this case, since there are no signs of hypovolemia or shock, the
resuscitation phase is not necessary. Because dehydration was estimated at 10% on presentation,
364 ml of fluid is needed to correct the fluid deficit. If the attending veterinarian elects to replace
this deficit over 12 hours, the administration rate for the deficit will be 30 ml/hr (364 ml/12
hours). The maintenance rate (MR) for this patient is calculated at 8.8 ml/hr using the allometric
scale formula for cats of 80 x BW3/4 = ml/day and dividing the result by 24 hours in a day (Beiter
et al., 2022, p. 758). Replacement fluids should be started at a rate of 38.8 ml/hr (30 ml/hr + 8.8
ml/hr). After 12 hours, it is believed that the patient’s hydration status has recovered back to
normal, but the cat is still not eating or drinking on her own. Therefore, the cat requires
continued maintenance fluid therapy. At the start of the maintenance phase, the fluid rate is
reduced to the MR of 8.8 ml/hr. (See calculation steps below for each step):
Conversion to kg: 8 lb ÷ 2.2 kg/lb = 3.64 kg
Deficit = 3.64 kg (0.10) = 0.364 (1000 mL/L) = 364 ml
364 ml ÷ 12 hrs = ~30 ml/hr
Allometric Scale Cat Maintenance Rate (MR) = 80 (3.64)3/4 = 210.8 ml/day
210.8 ml/day ÷ 24 hrs/day = 8.8 ml/hr
Replacement fluids = 30 ml/hr + 8.8 ml/hr = 38.8 ml/hr
3. While the patient is on IV fluid therapy, the catheter site must be closely monitored for
patency and signs of heat, pain, discharge, phlebitis, or inflammation of the foot (Beiter et al.,
Alise Rector
58683529
2/1/2026
, Part 1. Fluid Administration
1. Accurate assessment of patient hydration status is an essential skill for veterinary
professionals. While no single factor can easily measure patient hydration, veterinary technicians
can learn to use a combination of patient history context clues, physical exam parameters, and
laboratory tests to precisely estimate a patient’s hydration status. Physical exam parameters that
are commonly used to assess a patient’s hydration status include skin turgor, tackiness of mucous
membranes, sunken eyes, changes in heart rate, and body weight (Beiter et al., 2022, p.764). A
veterinary patient’s level of dehydration can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. The
symptoms associated with each level are described in detail in the “Fluid Therapy and
Transfusion Medicine” reading assignment provided by Penn Foster (n.d.-a). Symptoms of mild
(5%) dehydration include minimal loss of skin turgor, moderately dry mucous membranes, and
normal presenting eyes on examination. Moderate (8%) symptoms of dehydration to look out for
in a patient include moderate loss of skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, a weak and rapid
pulse, and eyes that appear sunken in the socket. Severe (10%) dehydration presents as
significant loss of skin turgor, considerably dry mucous membranes, a rapid heart rate, weak
pulse and low blood pressure, severely sunken and dry eyes, and central nervous system
symptoms (Penn Foster, n.d.-a).
2. According to Beiter et al., (2022), there are three phases of fluid therapy: resuscitation,
replacement, and maintenance. The resuscitation phase is meant to restore vascular volume loss
during hypovolemia and shock. The replacement phase aims to correct dehydration by replacing
lost body fluids and electrolytes while providing maintenance fluid requirements. Once patient
, hydration is restored, they can be switched to the maintenance phase if they are unable to drink
normally on their own (Beiter et al., 2022, p. 756-758).
In this example, an 8-pound, female cat presented with 10% dehydration and no signs of
shock, vomiting or diarrhea. For this case, since there are no signs of hypovolemia or shock, the
resuscitation phase is not necessary. Because dehydration was estimated at 10% on presentation,
364 ml of fluid is needed to correct the fluid deficit. If the attending veterinarian elects to replace
this deficit over 12 hours, the administration rate for the deficit will be 30 ml/hr (364 ml/12
hours). The maintenance rate (MR) for this patient is calculated at 8.8 ml/hr using the allometric
scale formula for cats of 80 x BW3/4 = ml/day and dividing the result by 24 hours in a day (Beiter
et al., 2022, p. 758). Replacement fluids should be started at a rate of 38.8 ml/hr (30 ml/hr + 8.8
ml/hr). After 12 hours, it is believed that the patient’s hydration status has recovered back to
normal, but the cat is still not eating or drinking on her own. Therefore, the cat requires
continued maintenance fluid therapy. At the start of the maintenance phase, the fluid rate is
reduced to the MR of 8.8 ml/hr. (See calculation steps below for each step):
Conversion to kg: 8 lb ÷ 2.2 kg/lb = 3.64 kg
Deficit = 3.64 kg (0.10) = 0.364 (1000 mL/L) = 364 ml
364 ml ÷ 12 hrs = ~30 ml/hr
Allometric Scale Cat Maintenance Rate (MR) = 80 (3.64)3/4 = 210.8 ml/day
210.8 ml/day ÷ 24 hrs/day = 8.8 ml/hr
Replacement fluids = 30 ml/hr + 8.8 ml/hr = 38.8 ml/hr
3. While the patient is on IV fluid therapy, the catheter site must be closely monitored for
patency and signs of heat, pain, discharge, phlebitis, or inflammation of the foot (Beiter et al.,
