Estimate potassium supplementation and delivery calculations for small-animal fluid planning. This tool shows mEq to add and the delivered mEq/hr at the entered fluid rate. It is arithmetic support only; verify the final plan against current protocol and reference.
1. Convert body weight to kg when weight is entered in lb.
2. Delivered mEq/hr = fluid rate (mL/hr) x desired concentration (mEq/L) / 1000.
3. Delivery by body weight = delivered mEq/hr / body weight in kg.
4. Potassium to add to a bag = bag volume (L) x desired concentration (mEq/L).
Rounding is for display only. This tool shows planning arithmetic only and does not choose whether supplementation is indicated or how it should be delivered.
Calculation steps will appear here for verification.
A 20 kg dog is on fluids at 80 mL/hr and the plan is 20 mEq/L potassium in the bag.
Delivered mEq/hr = 80 x 20 / 1000 = 1.6 mEq/hr
Delivered mEq/kg/hr = 1.6 / 20 = 0.08 mEq/kg/hr
If the bag is 1 L, the additive math is 20 mEq per bag, pending separate review of route, monitoring, and the actual fluid plan.
Estimate the answer before revealing it: a 4 kg cat receives 30 mL/hr fluids at a target of 40 mEq/L potassium.
Delivered mEq/hr = 30 x 40 / 1000 = 1.2 mEq/hr.
Delivered mEq/kg/hr = 1.2 / 4 = 0.3 mEq/kg/hr.
That bedside number still needs separate review of route, monitoring, and whether the concentration plan is appropriate.