Potassium is the primary electrolyte for dogs, implying it performs various functions within their bodies. Salt and potassium work in tandem to maintain blood equilibrium and prevent dehydration. Both of them regulate the pH of the blood and move water into and out of the cells.
Hyperkalemia occurs when a dog’s blood has more potassium than usual. It’s a severe disease, and it’s crucial to determine the correct diagnosis because it could cause heart failure or malfunction. The potassium levels in the bloodstream are sensitive to the heart, and a high concentration could cause the heart to stop pumping.
However, the high levels of potassium could be misleading. False hyperkalemia occurs when a dog’s potassium level is elevated for a brief time before returning to normal. Pseudohyperkalemia is a common condition that doesn’t require treatment as levels of blood return to normal levels on their own.
Hyperkalemia
Ask your vet for the most appropriate diagnosis and treatment when you observe any signs, particularly if your dog suffers from urinary tract or renal issues. This article will provide you with all the information you need to be aware of regarding hyperkalemia and dogs, including the causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Symptoms
Cardiac arrhythmias and other heart-related symptoms, muscle weakness, and finally, the pet’s demise are just a few possibilities when too much potassium is present in the dog’s blood. Instead of muscles hardening, the muscles become flaccid, causing paralysis where the dog is entirely limp and unable to move. Problems with digestion and difficulty peeing where the dog is forced to fight or cannot urinate are common.
Hypokalemia is also caused by tablets that contain fluids, which frequently cause dogs to vomit. Some antibiotics, glucose, and insulin are all examples of medications that can lower potassium levels. Low potassium levels can be due to malabsorption, poor diet, or frequent diarrhea and vomiting.
Veterinarians perform a series of blood tests to detect low levels of potassium. They’ll give potassium-rich fluids to increase blood levels and prevent dehydration once an accurate diagnosis has been made.
Causes
Inability to pee due to illness or injury of the kidneys, bladder, or urethra can be the main reason for very high potassium levels in dogs. If your dog isn’t passing urine or isn’t passing any at all, it is possible to have a high level of potassium in the dog’s blood.
Gastrointestinal disorders could be a factor in this scenario. Potassium levels higher than usual can be caused by acidosis, leukemia, and kidney stones. Visit a dog veterinarian to get additional information.
Diagnosis
The vet must look over the entire medical history of the dog, including any injuries, and must not ignore even the slightest symptoms to establish a diagnosis. The vet will determine the affected organs, which results in increased potassium levels, and then tailor the treatment to heal the organs involved.
Urinalysis and complete blood tests are performed. An ECG is conducted to assess the heart’s function, and X-rays are taken using a radiopaque dye. For information on how to castrate your dog, visit a spay & neuter clinic.
Treatment
The etiology of the condition determines the treatment. The vet focuses on taking care of the organ that has failed. When the treatment is in progress, the most effective method to lower potassium levels is to inject a saline solution into the dog.
The doctor will have the time to run extensive tests and give a precise diagnosis once the levels have been decreased. Although it is only temporary, saline can aid in eliminating the main issue and allows the body to recover to a certain extent. Visit a vet clinic to learn more details about pet healthcare plans.
