Small Animal Fluid Therapy Calculator

Body Weight (kg)

Animal type

Maintenance rate (ml/kg/day)

Maintenance requirement (ml) over 24 hours

Dehydration (%)

Fluid required (ml) to correct dehydration over 24 hours

Fluid requirement (ml) to replace ongoing losses over 24 hours

Fluid required (ml) to provide maintenance requirements, correct dehydration and replace ongoing losses over 24 hours

Fluid rate (ml/hr)

Drops/ml of giving set

Drops rate (drops/min)

One drop every 0 seconds

0 drops every 10 seconds

Level of Dehydration	Clinical Signs
< 5%	Non-detectable
5-6%	Subtle loss of skin elasticity
6-10%	Definite delay in return of skin to normal position Eyes possibly sunken in orbits Possibly dry mucous membranes
10-12%	Tented skin stands in place Eyes sunken in orbits Dry mucous membranes
12-15%	As for 10-12%, plus possible signs of shock (e.g. tachycardia, cool extremities, rapid and weak pulses, prolonged carpillary refill time)