Hypokalemia In Dogs
Hypokalemia refers to low blood potassium levels. Potassium is a mineral that functions as an electrolyte, meaning it helps balance fluid levels in the body. It is also essential to a variety of other biological processes, including regulation of the muscles, nerves, and heart. Left unchecked, hypokalemia can have devastating, even deadly effects. All cats and dogs are susceptible to hypokalemia.Hypokalemia is a medical condition that affects dogs and cats, and it’s characterized by abnormally low serum potassium ion (K+) concentration. The normal reference interval for serum K+ concentration in dogs and cats is 3.5 to 5.5 mEq/L (mmol/L). If the serum K+ concentration falls below 3.5 mEq/L (mmol/L), the animal is said to have hypokalemia.
K+ is an electrolyte that plays an essential role in many body functions. It is the body’s major intracellular cation, with ~95 to 98% of total body K+ being located within the intracellular fluid (ICF) compartment. K+ is responsible for intracellular fluid (ICF) volume maintenance, as well as essential for many body functions. The intracellular fluid (ICF) compartment to extracellular fluid (ECF) compartment ratio of K+ concentration is a major determinant of resting cell membrane potential. This K+ concentration gradient is principally maintained by Na+/K+-ATPase in cell membranes, which pumps out 3 Na+ for every 2 K+ into the cell.
Symptoms Of Hypokalemia In Dogs
Hypokalemia in dogs tends to affect three muscle groups the most; neurological muscles, cardiac muscles, and skeletal muscles. Some dogs don’t show symptoms at all, while others are severely affected.
The condition can be acute, meaning it appears suddenly with very strong symptoms, or it can also appear gradually and worsen with time.
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Muscle pain
- Weakness
- Unusual gait
- Unwillingness to walk or move
- Difficulty breathing because of paralysis in respiratory muscles
- Increased thirst or urination
- Arrhythmia
- Curving head down to the chest
Causes Of Hypokalemia In Dogs
There are several conditions that can cause hypokalemia in dogs, but it’s most often due to a loss of potassium through the urine or feces. This can be the result of cancer, kidney disease, or other conditions.
Additionally, it may be caused by a failure to take in enough potassium due to anorexia or a lack of potassium in the diet.
Here are several other conditions that can also lead to hypokalemia in dogs:
- Diabetes
- Exposure to diuretics
- Dialysis treatment
- Metabolic disease
- Vomiting
- Exposure to certain antibiotics
- Intestinal blockage
- Exposure to insulin or glucose
- Stress
- Barium poisoning
- Exposure to xylitol
Medication-induced hypokalemia
Certain medications can also cause low potassium levels, including:
- Diuretics: About 80% of people who take diuretics have a potassium deficiency due to an increase in urination. Diuretics, or “water pills,” may be prescribed to patients with high blood pressure, heart failure, and kidney disease. Diuretics are the most common cause of hypokalemia.
- Laxatives: Laxatives can cause a loss of potassium in the stool.
- Beta-adrenergic agonist drugs: Bronchodilators, steroids, or theophylline (used for asthma, emphysema, and COPD) can affect serum potassium and blood glucose levels.
- Certain antibiotics: In large doses, some antibiotics can increase potassium excretion through the kidneys.
- Insulin: Large doses of insulin, which may treat Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS), a dangerous condition caused by very high blood sugar levels, are often supplemented with intravenous potassium.
Treatments For Hypokalemia In Dogs
Treatment for severe hypokalemia in dogs involves intravenous potassium chloride injections to stabilize heart beat and correct paralysis of the respiratory muscles, which will allow dogs to breath more easily. Vets can also treat more moderate cases with oral supplements that raise potassium levels.
Once an affected dog is stable, the vet may prescribe potassium chloride supplements to avoid another drop in potassium levels. They may also prescribe dietary changes.
If the dog is also on glucose or insulin therapy, these may be stopped in favor of alternative treatment, as these forms of therapy make hypokalemia worse.
If the vet finds an underlying cause, then they’ll need to treat that, as well, to avoid relapse. For example, if the cause is exposure to medications, therapies, or other substances, those will likely need to be removed from the dog’s environment.
Dogs usually recover well so long as pet parents and vets treat them early and monitor them diligently.
Compiled & Shared by- This paper is a compilation of groupwork provided by the
Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
