Converting a chosen shock-dose reference into a total volume and a staged partial bolus volume.
Clinical Tools / Live calculator
Fluid bolus / shock dose calculator
Calculate a total shock dose reference and a selected partial bolus volume for dogs and cats using simple isotonic crystalloid arithmetic. This tool is an arithmetic reference only; it is not a treatment protocol.
Weight conversion, total shock-dose volume, selected bolus volume, and the bolus expressed again in mL/kg.
Whether fluids are indicated, how much should actually be given, or how the patient should be reassessed.
Input
Enter the bolus reference
Select species and body weight, then choose the reference shock dose and the portion you want shown as a bolus volume.
Formula
Formula audit trail
Use these steps to verify how the displayed result was calculated.
1. Convert entered weight to kg when the input is in lb.
2. Total shock-dose reference = body weight x selected mL/kg reference.
3. Selected bolus volume = total shock-dose reference x chosen percentage / 100.
4. Bolus equivalent in mL/kg = selected mL/kg reference x chosen percentage / 100.
Display rounding is for readability only. The output remains a transparent arithmetic reference, not a treatment protocol.
Calculation steps will appear here for verification.
Safety checks
Review before use
- Arithmetic support only.
- This page does not choose when or whether a bolus should be given.
- Verify the final plan against patient reassessment and current protocol.
- Reassess perfusion parameters between boluses per current protocol.
Learn
Worked example and practice
Compact learning support for students, using the same arithmetic the live calculator performs.
Worked example
A 20 kg dog uses a 90 mL/kg shock-dose reference, and you want to see a 25% partial bolus.
Total shock-dose reference = 20 kg x 90 mL/kg = 1,800 mL
Selected bolus = 1,800 mL x 25% = 450 mL
Bolus equivalent = 90 mL/kg x 25% = 22.5 mL/kg
The practical readback is 450 mL now, with reassessment still deciding whether any later bolus should be considered.
Try this case
Estimate the answer before revealing it: a 4 kg cat uses a 60 mL/kg reference and you want to view a 50% bolus.
Reveal worked answer
Total shock-dose reference = 4 kg x 60 mL/kg = 240 mL.
Selected bolus = 240 mL x 50% = 120 mL.
Bolus equivalent = 60 mL/kg x 50% = 30 mL/kg.
Basis
Basis and limits
- Calculation basis: total shock-dose reference = body weight x selected mL/kg reference, and selected bolus volume = total reference volume x chosen percentage.
- Scope: this tool supports arithmetic planning. It does not decide when fluids should be given, how much should be repeated, or what reassessment should show next.
- Before use: verify the staged bolus plan against current protocol, patient reassessment, line setup, and tolerance to fluids.
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