Veterinary Clinical Medicine-I (General and Systemic)

PRECAUTIONS

Precautions while treating hypothermic animals

• Be cautious about assuming that animal can not be resuscitated. As in resuscitation, a positive attitude is important.
• The hypothermic animal may appear to be beyond help because of, skin and membrane colors, pupil dilatation and depressed vital signs.
• Avoid direct application of hot objects or excessive pressure (e.g. uninsulated hot water bottles, tourniquets etc.).
• Ensure that items such as oxygen and fluids coming into contact with the animal are warmed.
• Do not put severely hypothermic animal in a shower or bath.
• Drug treatments are not useful in treating severe hypothermic animals since the cold heart will not respond as expected.
• If administered, drugs will not be metabolized normally by the liver and kidneys; instead these will accumulate in the body and become active as it warms.
• Do not use Lactated Ringers because the hypothermic liver may not be able to metabolize the lactate normally.
• Do not administer cold fluids.