Small insights with great value
Assessing hydration status, finding the right fluids, and choosing the best routes of administration are important steps to give the “little ones” best infusion treatment.
Prepare everything on forehand to reduce stress during infusion procedures and keep rabbits and rodents in comfortable and familiar surroundings.
Assessing hydration status in rabbits and rodents
Determining fluid status in small patients is very similar to larger ones, hence we can use the same guidelines to assess the animal.
Fluids for rabbits and rodents
There are many solutions available for maintaining or replacing fluid balances. The most commonly available are also suited for use in rabbits and rodents.
Routes of administration
- Oral fluid therapy
- Subcutaneous administration
- Intravenous administration
Placement preparation
Thorough preparation for IV catheter placement is always important. For rodents, there is one more important thing: warm up the fluids!
Placement procedure
Before placing the catheter, be sure to pre-flush catheter and extension line with warm heparinised saline to avoid air and clutting in the system.
Maintenance of catheter site and post-surgery care
In rodents, there is less space for catheter placement, and the catheter should only be left in when necessary.
Fluid Therapy in Rodents
The goal of fluid therapy is to provide necessary fluid and electrolytes, meet metabolic demands, and restore intracellular water balance until the patient is eating and drinking on its own or has recovered from surgery.
Monitoring
Animals undergoing fluid therapy is a MUST. There are some basic signs to look for.
Infusion tools for small animals
IV catheters available in size 24-26G
KRUUSE Venocan Mini IV Catheter
KRUUSE Venocan Pencil Style IV Catheter
KRUUSE InfuVein PRO IV Catheter
SafeVet IV catheters
Cap
KRUUSE SafeVet IV Combi Set
KRUUSE SafeVet InfuVein
KRUUSE Heparin Cap
Extension lines - Microbore
KRUUSE T-connector set, Micro bore
KRUUSE SafeVet Microbore Extension Line
KRUUSE Microbore Extension Line
Giving Sets suitable for small volumes
KRUUSE I.V. Infusion set
KRUUSE Burrette set
