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Equine Intravenous Fluids and Administration Supplies: Vet-Recommended Top 5 Options in Canada for 2025 — Field-Ready Solutions for Shock, Dehydration, and Electrolyte Balance

Published on Monday, August 25, 2025

This category covers equine intravenous (IV) crystalloid and colloid solutions, administration sets, catheters, and infusion components sized for horses to manage dehydration, shock, and electrolyte imbalances. Canadian veterinarians and equine caretakers prioritize large-volume handling, clear safety features, and ease of use in both field and hospital settings—attributes that reduce treatment time, minimize complications, and improve outcomes during emergency and routine fluid therapy. Buyers in Canada often choose products that meet veterinary regulatory expectations, are supported by clinical guidance, and perform reliably in cold-weather storage and transport conditions common across Canadian provinces.

Quick Menu

1. Best Budget Crystalloid

2. Best Balanced Crystalloid

3. Best Colloid Volume Expander

4. Best Large-Animal IV Set

5. Best Equine 14G Catheter

1
BEST BUDGET CRYSTALLOID

Vetoquinol Lactated Ringer's Solution 5L

Vetoquinol Lactated Ringer's Solution 5L

A reliable, cost-effective balanced crystalloid formulated for equine fluid resuscitation and maintenance, Vetoquinol Lactated Ringer's is prized for wide availability and straightforward dosing in field and clinic settings. Compared with Plasma‑Lyte A it offers a lower-cost option for routine rehydration, and it pairs well with colloids like Hetastarch when longer intravascular volume support is needed; its simplicity also makes it highly compatible with large‑animal IV sets and 14G jugular catheters.

4.6
★★★★☆

  • Rapid rehydration

  • Balanced electrolytes

  • Rapid rehydration

  • Balanced electrolytes

Review Summary

92%

"Veterinarians praise Vetoquinol Lactated Ringer's Solution 5L as a reliable, sterile crystalloid for routine hydration and resuscitation, with consistent performance; a few users note occasional packaging or shipping issues."

  • Barn-loved stability

  • Isotonic lactated Ringer's solution formulated for equine rehydration and maintenance.

  • Barn-loved stability

  • Isotonic lactated Ringer's solution formulated for equine rehydration and maintenance.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

A reliable, cost-effective balanced crystalloid formulated for equine fluid resuscitation and maintenance, Vetoquinol Lactated Ringer's is prized for wide availability and straightforward dosing in field and clinic settings. Compared with Plasma‑Lyte A it offers a lower-cost option for routine rehydration, and it pairs well with colloids like Hetastarch when longer intravascular volume support is needed; its simplicity also makes it highly compatible with large‑animal IV sets and 14G jugular catheters.

  • Rapid rehydration

  • Balanced electrolytes

  • Barn-loved stability

  • Isotonic lactated Ringer's solution formulated for equine rehydration and maintenance.

  • Balanced electrolytes suitable for routine fluid replacement and mild dehydration.

  • Rapid rehydration

  • Balanced electrolytes

  • Barn-loved stability

  • Isotonic lactated Ringer's solution formulated for equine rehydration and maintenance.

  • Balanced electrolytes suitable for routine fluid replacement and mild dehydration.

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$25-60 CAD

2
BEST BALANCED CRYSTALLOID

B. Braun Plasma-Lyte A 5L

B. Braun Plasma-Lyte A 5L

Plasma‑Lyte A from B. Braun is a modern balanced crystalloid with an electrolyte profile and pH designed to be closer to physiologic plasma, making it a preferred choice for acid‑base sensitive cases in horses. Although it typically carries a premium price versus standard lactated Ringer's, its formulation can reduce the need for adjunctive buffering and is often chosen when tighter acid‑base control is desired; it complements colloid products and is easily delivered via large‑animal IV sets and standard 14G catheters.

4.5
★★★★☆

  • Physio-balanced

  • Electrolyte mimic

  • Physio-balanced

  • Electrolyte mimic

Review Summary

90%

"B. Braun Plasma-Lyte A 5L is lauded for its balanced electrolyte formulation and high manufacturing quality, though some purchasers cite a higher price versus generic alternatives."

  • Clinic favorite

  • Plasma-Lyte A is an acetate-based, physiologic electrolyte solution with low chloride.

  • Clinic favorite

  • Plasma-Lyte A is an acetate-based, physiologic electrolyte solution with low chloride.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

Plasma‑Lyte A from B. Braun is a modern balanced crystalloid with an electrolyte profile and pH designed to be closer to physiologic plasma, making it a preferred choice for acid‑base sensitive cases in horses. Although it typically carries a premium price versus standard lactated Ringer's, its formulation can reduce the need for adjunctive buffering and is often chosen when tighter acid‑base control is desired; it complements colloid products and is easily delivered via large‑animal IV sets and standard 14G catheters.

  • Physio-balanced

  • Electrolyte mimic

  • Clinic favorite

  • Plasma-Lyte A is an acetate-based, physiologic electrolyte solution with low chloride.

  • Well-suited for horses with acid-base disturbances due to more physiologic pH.

  • Physio-balanced

  • Electrolyte mimic

  • Clinic favorite

  • Plasma-Lyte A is an acetate-based, physiologic electrolyte solution with low chloride.

  • Well-suited for horses with acid-base disturbances due to more physiologic pH.

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$50-100 CAD

3
BEST COLLOID VOLUME EXPANDER

Dechra Hetastarch 6% Solution

Dechra Hetastarch 6% Solution

Dechra Hetastarch is a synthetic colloid used for rapid intravascular volume expansion in hypovolemic equine patients, providing longer oncotic support per unit than crystalloids. It is more expensive and requires monitoring for potential effects on coagulation and renal function compared with crystalloids, but its prolonged intravascular retention can reduce total fluid volumes administered and is efficiently delivered using high‑flow IV sets and large‑bore catheters.

4.2
★★★★☆

  • Colloid boost

  • Extended volume

  • Colloid boost

  • Extended volume

Review Summary

84%

"Dechra Hetastarch 6% is regarded as effective for colloid volume expansion and convenient to use, but reviews are more mixed due to cost and cautious use because of potential side effects in certain patients."

  • Horse-sized oomph

  • Hetastarch 6% is a synthetic colloid used for rapid plasma volume expansion in shock.

  • Horse-sized oomph

  • Hetastarch 6% is a synthetic colloid used for rapid plasma volume expansion in shock.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Skill Development & Mastery

Dechra Hetastarch is a synthetic colloid used for rapid intravascular volume expansion in hypovolemic equine patients, providing longer oncotic support per unit than crystalloids. It is more expensive and requires monitoring for potential effects on coagulation and renal function compared with crystalloids, but its prolonged intravascular retention can reduce total fluid volumes administered and is efficiently delivered using high‑flow IV sets and large‑bore catheters.

  • Colloid boost

  • Extended volume

  • Horse-sized oomph

  • Hetastarch 6% is a synthetic colloid used for rapid plasma volume expansion in shock.

  • Provides oncotic support and longer intravascular duration than crystalloids.

  • Colloid boost

  • Extended volume

  • Horse-sized oomph

  • Hetastarch 6% is a synthetic colloid used for rapid plasma volume expansion in shock.

  • Provides oncotic support and longer intravascular duration than crystalloids.

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$90-160 CAD

4
BEST LARGE-ANIMAL IV SET

MILA International FlowMAX Large Animal IV Set

MILA International FlowMAX Large Animal IV Set

The FlowMAX IV set is engineered specifically for large animal practice with high‑capacity tubing, reinforced connectors, and flow control features that shorten administration time for both crystalloids and colloids. Its durable, veterinary‑rated construction reduces replacement frequency and staff time compared with standard small‑animal sets, making it a cost‑effective complement to fluid solutions like Lactated Ringer's, Plasma‑Lyte, and Hetastarch when paired with 14G jugular catheters.

4.4
★★★★☆

  • High flow-rate

  • Tough tubing

  • High flow-rate

  • Tough tubing

Review Summary

88%

"MILA International FlowMAX Large Animal IV Set is appreciated for durable tubing, good flow control, and suitability for large patients; a minority of users report occasional connector fit or clamp issues."

  • Mud-tested durability

  • FlowMAX large-animal IV set features large-bore, kink-resistant tubing for high-volume equine infusions.

  • Mud-tested durability

  • FlowMAX large-animal IV set features large-bore, kink-resistant tubing for high-volume equine infusions.

Time-Saving Convenience

Skill Development & Mastery

The FlowMAX IV set is engineered specifically for large animal practice with high‑capacity tubing, reinforced connectors, and flow control features that shorten administration time for both crystalloids and colloids. Its durable, veterinary‑rated construction reduces replacement frequency and staff time compared with standard small‑animal sets, making it a cost‑effective complement to fluid solutions like Lactated Ringer's, Plasma‑Lyte, and Hetastarch when paired with 14G jugular catheters.

  • High flow-rate

  • Tough tubing

  • Mud-tested durability

  • FlowMAX large-animal IV set features large-bore, kink-resistant tubing for high-volume equine infusions.

  • Includes precise roller clamp and secure connections for controlled gravity or pump administration.

  • High flow-rate

  • Tough tubing

  • Mud-tested durability

  • FlowMAX large-animal IV set features large-bore, kink-resistant tubing for high-volume equine infusions.

  • Includes precise roller clamp and secure connections for controlled gravity or pump administration.

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$35-85 CAD

5
BEST EQUINE 14G CATHETER

Jorgensen Labs J-Cath IV Catheter 14G

Jorgensen Labs J-Cath IV Catheter 14G

The J‑Cath 14G is a large‑bore, robust IV catheter designed for reliable jugular access in horses, minimizing kinking and infiltration during high‑flow administration. Its straightforward, durable design is a lower‑cost single‑use option that integrates seamlessly with large‑animal IV sets and all major equine fluids, offering clinicians a dependable access device when rapid volume delivery or repeated infusions are required.

4.5
★★★★☆

  • 14G reliability

  • Easy insertion

  • 14G reliability

  • Easy insertion

Review Summary

89%

"Jorgensen Labs J-Cath IV Catheter 14G is commonly praised as a sturdy, reliable large-bore catheter with predictable placement, though some mention stiffness or insertion difficulty in very small or challenging patients."

  • Cowboy-proof grip

  • J-Cath 14G is a large-bore IV catheter intended for rapid fluid delivery in horses.

  • Cowboy-proof grip

  • J-Cath 14G is a large-bore IV catheter intended for rapid fluid delivery in horses.

Skill Development & Mastery

Time-Saving Convenience

The J‑Cath 14G is a large‑bore, robust IV catheter designed for reliable jugular access in horses, minimizing kinking and infiltration during high‑flow administration. Its straightforward, durable design is a lower‑cost single‑use option that integrates seamlessly with large‑animal IV sets and all major equine fluids, offering clinicians a dependable access device when rapid volume delivery or repeated infusions are required.

  • 14G reliability

  • Easy insertion

  • Cowboy-proof grip

  • J-Cath 14G is a large-bore IV catheter intended for rapid fluid delivery in horses.

  • Sturdy construction with wings for secure fixation and reduced movement at the insertion site.

  • 14G reliability

  • Easy insertion

  • Cowboy-proof grip

  • J-Cath 14G is a large-bore IV catheter intended for rapid fluid delivery in horses.

  • Sturdy construction with wings for secure fixation and reduced movement at the insertion site.

Order Now

$12-30 CAD

What the Research and Guidelines Say About Equine IV Fluids and Supplies

Veterinary research and professional guidelines help explain when to use crystalloids versus colloids, how balanced solutions affect acid-base status, and why administration equipment design matters for patient safety. Evidence from equine and large animal medicine supports crystalloids as first-line resuscitation fluids, recommends balanced solutions to reduce metabolic disturbances, and advises careful, limited use of synthetic colloids with attention to coagulation effects. Proper catheter and infusion set selection reduces infection risk, ensures accurate flow rates for large volumes, and improves handling in field conditions.

Crystalloids (for example, lactated Ringer's and balanced electrolyte solutions) are widely supported as first-line fluids for rehydration and initial resuscitation in horses in both hospital and field settings.

Balanced crystalloids such as Plasma-Lyte can better preserve acid-base balance than unbalanced saline in some cases, reducing the risk of iatrogenic metabolic disturbances.

Colloid solutions like hetastarch provide oncotic support and longer intravascular volume expansion, but recent studies and veterinary guidelines recommend cautious use because of potential effects on coagulation and kidney function; use is case-dependent and often reserved for severe hypoproteinemia or refractory hypovolemia.

High-quality large-animal IV sets and appropriately sized catheters reduce the risk of extravasation, allow reliable high-volume flow rates, and simplify field administration—features shown to lower complication rates in practice settings.

Professional guidance from associations such as the American Association of Equine Practitioners and national veterinary bodies, along with peer-reviewed studies in journals like the Equine Veterinary Journal and Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, form the basis for fluid selection and infusion protocols.

In Canada, having the right equine IV fluids and administration supplies can make the difference between efficient stabilization and a prolonged emergency. The five main products listed here—Vetoquinol Lactated Ringer's Solution 5L, B. Braun Plasma-Lyte A 5L, Dechra Hetastarch 6% Solution, MILA International FlowMAX Large Animal IV Set, and Jorgensen Labs J-Cath IV Catheter 14G—cover the core needs for crystalloid and colloid therapy plus robust administration equipment for field and clinic use. For most routine resuscitation and balanced electrolyte replacement, B. Braun Plasma-Lyte A 5L is the recommended pick on this page because of its balanced formulation and versatility across acid-base scenarios; Vetoquinol Lactated Ringer's remains a reliable standard, Dechra Hetastarch is suitable when colloid support is needed, and the MILA FlowMAX set and Jorgensen J-Cath catheter supply dependable large-animal administration performance. We hope you found what you were looking for—use the site search to refine by fluid type, brand, or equipment feature if you want to expand or narrow your results.

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