What is the IV shock dose for volume depletion in dogs?

• A. 60 ml/kg
• B. 80 ml/kg
• C. 100 ml/kg
• D. 120 ml/kg

Answer: (B)

When a dog is volume-depleted, the goal is to rapidly restore intravascular volume with an isotonic crystalloid. The standard shock dose for this resuscitation is 80 ml/kg, given as a rapid IV bolus (often in 20–30 ml/kg increments) with reassessment after each portion. This amount is chosen to quickly improve perfusion and blood pressure without assuming excessive fluid overload from a single big dose. If the dog responds well, you continue to monitor and may give additional boluses as needed; if not, you adjust based on the ongoing losses and overall clinical status. The other doses are either too small to achieve rapid resuscitation or exceed the typical initial bolus used in most canine protocols.