I believe that many of us have asked which fluid calculation formula we should use on our patients. We want the most accurate and exact formula. However, in real life, there is no such thing as the single correct answer. That’s why the frequent response that “this one is okay” was not very satisfying.
As I spend more time in the clinic, I have realized that in addition to fluid calculation formulas, there are many more things in veterinary medicine that have no single correct answer. Whenever a patient walks in the door, treatment protocols from different clinicians vary and sometimes we are surprised at the degree of variation. However, the decision is in the hands of the client. The client’s willingness, financial ability and many other factors will determine the plans for diagnosis and treatment. As we all know, medical professionals are predisposed to perfectionism. Surely, we ought to pursue high-standard medicine, but real life is not just about medicine.
I would now call it an appropriate answer rather than a correct answer. We make medical decisions based on our professional judgment, and we customize decisions for each individual patient and client.
