ABSTRACT
When choosing a fluid for the treatment of a specific disease, the caregiver must carefully consider the animal’s primary and secondary diseases, the metabolic and acid–base status, and the presence of underlying conditions such as cardiac or renal insufficiency or vasculitis that can influence the animal’s ability to respond appropriately, rather than adversely, to therapy. Ideally, the choice of which crystalloid fluid to administer for a particular disease is analogous to choosing an antibiotic for various types of bacterial infections.
