Target species
Cattle, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, cats and rabbits.
Indications for use, specifying the target species
Correction of water: sodium imbalances.
Treatment of metabolic alkalosis.
Rehydration in disease conditions which result in excessive loss of water and sodium chloride, and during and after surgery.
A vehicle solution for the administration of other compatible drugs.
Contraindications
Do not use in animals with:
sodium and water retention including heart failure,
hypernatraemia,
hyperchloraemia,
hyperhydration
Special warnings for each target species
None.
Special precautions for use
Special precautions for use in animals
Use with caution in animals with cardiac or renal impairment as sodium overload may occur. It should be noted that sodium excretion may be impaired post-surgery/trauma.
Use with caution in animals with hypokalaemia.
Serum electrolyte levels, water and acid-base balance and the clinical condition of the animal should be closely monitored during the treatment in order to prevent overdose, particularly in cases of renal or metabolic changes.
A risk of thrombosis with intravenous infusion should be considered.
This product should not be used for longer than is necessary to correct and sustain circulating volume. Inappropriate/excessive use may worsen or create a metabolic acidosis.
Maintain aseptic precautions.
This product does not contain an antimicrobial preservative.
The solution should be warmed to approximately 37°C prior to the administration of large volumes, or if the administration rate is high, in order to avoid hypothermia.
The volume and infusion rate must be adapted to the clinical status of each animal.
Ensure that the solution is clear and contains no visible particles and the unit is perfectly intact. Otherwise, do not use the solution. Discard any unused portion.
Do not exceed maximum dose rate of 90ml/kg/hour. This solution does not contain the appropriate electrolyte balance for longer term maintenance fluid administration.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
None.
Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)
Not known under normal conditions of use.
Where the product is used as a drug carrier, this can lead to other adverse events.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy and lactation. Use only accordingly to the benefit/risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian.
Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
It is recommended to take appropriate precautions in animals receiving corticosteroids or corticotrophins to prevent high blood pressure and excessive fluid retention during administration of large volumes.
Concomitant administration of colloids requires a dose reduction.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
Slow intravenous injection or infusion, or subcutaneous injection.
When given subcutaneously, reduced doses are recommended.
The amount of fluid and electrolytes to be administered should be calculated by adding the existing deficits to the ongoing maintenance requirements and any ongoing fluid losses (e.g. from vomiting, diarrhoea etc) estimated from the history of the animal, clinical examination and laboratory findings.
To calculate the existing fluid deficit, the following equation should be used;
Fluid deficit (mls) = Percentage dehydration x Bodyweight (kg) x 10
(e.g. for a 10 kg dog with 5% dehydration the fluid deficit would be 5 x 10 x 10 = 500ml)
To calculate the ongoing crystalloid maintenance requirement, the following equation should be used;
Maintenance per day for Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Goats, Pigs, Dogs and Cats (mls) = 50ml x Bodyweight (kg)
Maintenance per day for Rabbits (mls) = 75-100ml x Bodyweight (kg)
(e.g. for a 10 kg dog, the daily maintenance fluid requirement is 10 x 50 = 500ml)
The administration rate should be adjusted to each animal. The objective is to correct the deficit over 12 – 24 hours.
Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary
It is recommended to maintain a serum sodium less than or equal to 130 mEq / l. In the presence of volume overload signs, treatment should involve administering diuretics and stopping the infusion.
Overdose may lead to hypernatraemia, hyperchloraemia, hypokalaemia, cardiac decompensation, hyperhydration and metabolic acidosis.
Clinical signs of excessive overdose include restlessness, hypersalivation, shivering, tachycardia, serous nasal discharge, tachypnoea, moist lung sounds, coughing, protrusion of the eye from the orbit, widespread oedema, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Long-term infusion may cause electrolyte imbalance. Saline solution is not balanced and it may cause acidaemia because it will increase renal elimination of bicarbonate. Prolonged use may cause hypokalaemia
Withdrawal period(s)
Meat and offal: zero days.
Milk: zero hours.