Amy Butler, DVM, MS, DACVECC

Fluids are divided into two main groups: crystalloids and colloids. Crystalloids contain solutes (variable amounts of electrolytes), water and may contain dextrose.

Most times, luckily, anesthesia is a routine procedure. However, patients can and do arrest, even in a previously healthy patient.

Decontamination involves emptying the GI tract to reduce toxin exposure or increase elimination. This is the most important way to treat a potential toxicity.

Shock is often defined as oxygen delivery to the tissue that is insufficient to meet tissue requirements. This may be due to altered hemodynamics, such that the circulatory system is unable to provide adequate pressure to drive perfusion.

Hemostasis is the physiologic process whereby bleeding is halted. The primary functions of the hemostatic system are to: 1) maintain blood in fluid state while in the vessels; 2) arrest bleeding at the site of injury and 3) remove the clot once healing is complete.

Unfortunately, transfusion medicine tends to be a right now type of problem the patient is unable to wait while blood or blood products are ordered and shipped to the practice