Fluid therapy for gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and hepatic disorders

Patients with gastrointestinal, hepatic, or pancreatic disease frequently require parenteral fluid therapy. The selection of the type and amount of fluid for administration should be based on a knowledge of physiologic derangements and the controlling mechanisms. Table 4 provides suggested replacement fluids and supplements for each disease. It must be remembered, however, that individual "tailoring" is required for each case. In addition to an expert knowledge of pathophysiology, monitoring of the patient's weight, fluid losses, serum electrolyte, and acid-base status is necessary for successful fluid therapy. In veterinary medicine the most common cause of inadequate fluid therapy is a deviation in the amount of fluid that the patient receives from the intended amount that may have been ever so carefully calculated.