Calculates a combined maintenance + rehydration IV fluid rate from patient weight and
estimated dehydration, and sizes common fluid-bag additives (KCl, potassium phosphate,
dextrose, metoclopramide) with built-in potassium-rate and compatibility safety checks.
FOR VETERINARY PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY
This tool is a clinical reference aid and does not replace professional judgment. Verify every rate and additive at the patient bedside, reassess hydration status frequently, and monitor the patient closely throughout therapy. No liability is assumed for clinical decisions made using this calculator.
Subtracted from the calculated fluid deficit before computing the rehydration rate.
hr
Time to correct the deficit. Default 24 hr.
Fluid Rate
2 · Fluid Bag Additives
Set up the bag (base fluid, rate, weight) first, then add one or more additives.
Potassium loads from all sources are summed against the KMax ceiling, and each additive is checked
for compatibility with the chosen base fluid.
mL
mL/hr
Auto-filled from Section 1's total rate — editable.
kg
Auto-filled from Section 1 — editable.
mEq/L
Optional — if entered, sets the sliding-scale supplementation tier and auto-fills
the KCl bag concentration below; a value above 5.0 blocks all potassium additives (hyperkalemia).
Leave blank to set the bag K+ concentration/KPhos dose manually instead.
Diabetic patient — starting insulin therapy soon?
Insulin therapy drives potassium intracellularly and can unmask or worsen
hypokalemia — Yes switches the supplementation tier to the more aggressive DKA guideline range.
Y-Site Compatibility Checker
Search a medication to check it against the base fluid and additives currently in this
bag — not the whole database. Flags only well-documented hazards; an undocumented pair is reported as
unsure, not as safe. Not a substitute for a full compatibility reference.
Clinical Disclaimer: This calculator is a reference aid for licensed veterinary
professionals. Fluid and electrolyte therapy must be individualized to each patient and adjusted
based on ongoing reassessment (physical exam, body weight, urine output, electrolytes, acid-base).
Potassium supplementation should not exceed 0.5 mEq/kg/hr (KMax) except in rare, closely-monitored
circumstances. Reassess and adjust every 4–6 hours. This calculator is not intended for oliguric or
anuric patients — those cases require individualized planning (e.g. a controlled diuresis trial) that
is beyond this tool's scope. No liability is assumed for clinical decisions made using this tool.
Sources & References
Plumb, D.C. (2018). Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Edition. Wiley-Blackwell.
DiBartola, S.P. (ed.). Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Disorders in Small Animal Practice, 4th Edition. Elsevier.
Mathews, K.A. (ed.). Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Manual, 2nd Edition. Lifelearn.
Ramsey, I. (ed.). BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Edition. BSAVA Publications.