HOW DO WE GET IT THERE? Fluids can be administered by a variety of routes. Each route has its advantages and disadvantages. The main routes of fluid administration are listed here Oral(po) fluids are used for short-term illness and in small animals and neonates, The oral route is the safest route of fluid administration. Oral fluids can be adminis tered by stomach tube, dosing syringe, bottle, nasogastric tube, or gastrostomy tube Disadvantages of oral fluid administration include possible aspiration pneumonia the inability to use them in vomiting animals, and less rapid absorption when com pared to other methods. Oral fluids are indicated for animals that are anorexic or have diarrhea without vomiting, and for neonatal dehydration Subcutaneous(SQ) uids are used to correct mild to moderate dehydration in non critically ill patients. In dehydrated animals or animals in shock, peripheral vasocon- striction limits the distributicn of fluids from the subcutaneous space to where they are needed. Isotonic fluids are used SQ(other solutions may cause skin sloughing) and they are usually administered by gravity flow through an 18- or 20-gauge needle. SQ fluids are given in a variety of locations, including the flank region and dorsally along the back between the scapulae. Many prefer to give SQ fluids in the flank region to allow more efficient drainage of fluid in case of infection. The volume of fluid that can be administered SQ is limited by the animal's skin elasticity and may range from 10 to 150 ml per site depending on the animal species being treated. Typically, 5 to 10 ml of fluid per pound of body weight site in small animals. An imals differ in their ability to tolerate the infused loadcomfortably, and multiple sites may be needed to administer the total amount of fluids required. All SQ fluids tend to be absorbed in six to eight hours. Disadvantages of SQ fluid administration include the possibility of infection(especially when given dorsally along the back), subcuta neous edema, slower absorption rate than other routes, and the inability to use hyper tonic, hypotonic, or irritating solutions