Clinical decision support
Bicarbonate deficit calculator
Estimate a bicarbonate amount from clinician-entered acid-base values. It does not determine an indication, preparation, route, rate, or treatment plan.
Safety checks
- This tool supports calculation and education only.
- It does not diagnose an acid-base disorder or determine whether bicarbonate is indicated.
- Use current blood-gas assessment and licensed veterinary judgment to select any target.
- It does not provide a concentration, volume, route, rate, partial-correction amount, or treatment plan.
Basis and limits
- Formula: estimated amount (mEq) = 0.3 L/kg × (target HCO₃⁻ − patient HCO₃⁻) × body weight (kg).
- Reviewed assumptions: the volume of distribution is approximately 0.3 L/kg; the entered target must be 10–15 mEq/L.
- Scope: this is transparent arithmetic only. It does not diagnose, determine an indication, establish a dose plan, or replace serial blood-gas assessment.
- Reference: Merck Veterinary Manual: Rule of 20, acid-base balance.
Formula
Estimated amount: 0.3 L/kg × (target HCO₃⁻ − patient HCO₃⁻) × body weight (kg)
Last reviewed: July 2026
Reference: Merck Veterinary Manual, Rule of 20: acid-base balance. Verify against current references before clinical use.