Clinical Tools / Live calculator

Sodium correction calculator

Estimate free water deficit or sodium deficit math for small-animal fluid planning. This tool is arithmetic support only. It does not choose a fluid, recommend a correction pace, or interpret the cause of dysnatremia.

Input

Enter the sodium estimate

Choose one estimate mode, then enter body weight, current sodium, target sodium, and the total body water factor you want used for the calculation.

Estimate mode Weight unit

Body weight Total body water factor

Current sodium Target sodium

Sodium unit Default assumption

Result

Sodium estimate

Enter the current and target sodium values to calculate a mode-specific sodium estimate.

Awaiting calculation

Choose the estimate mode that matches the sodium direction you want modeled.
Confirm the body weight and total body water assumption.
Recheck the current and target sodium entries before calculating.

Formula

Formula audit trail

1. Convert body weight to kg when weight is entered in lb.

2. Total body water = body weight x selected total body water factor.

3. Free water deficit estimate = total body water x ((current sodium / target sodium) - 1).

4. Sodium deficit estimate = total body water x (target sodium - current sodium).

Rounding is for display only. This release shows arithmetic estimates only and does not recommend a fluid choice or correction pace.

Calculation steps will appear here for verification.

Safety checks

Review before use

Arithmetic support only.
This tool does not recommend whether sodium correction is indicated.
Rapid sodium correction can cause severe neurologic harm. General guidance often limits correction to about 10-12 mEq/L per 24 hours; verify the final plan against current protocol and reference.

Quick reference

Sodium abnormalities in dogs and cats (quick reference)

Sodium abnormalities occur with water-balance problems, fluid losses, impaired intake, or disease processes causing hypernatremia or hyponatremia.
Free water deficit estimates how much water is missing in hypernatremia; sodium deficit estimates how much sodium is lacking in hyponatremia.
Correction must be controlled because shifts in sodium can cause serious neurologic injury.
The appropriate correction pace depends on chronicity, severity, signs, cause, and the full clinical context.
Use the sodium calculator above for estimate math.

Basis

Basis and limits

Calculation basis: free water deficit and sodium deficit estimates use the entered sodium values, body weight, and total body water factor.

This tool provides arithmetic estimates based on commonly used veterinary formulas and reference values. It does not select treatments or replace clinical judgment. Always verify values against current protocols and product labels before use.

Reference ranges and approaches align with standard veterinary resources (e.g., emergency and internal medicine references such as Merck Veterinary Manual and common clinical guidelines).