Electrolytes, serum biochemical and acid-base disturbances in dogs with foul-smelling bloody diarrhoea

Abstract EN

Metabolic alkalosis is an electrolyte abnormality accompanied by an elevation in bicarbonate ion concentration in blood and a rise in blood pH.

This study aims to determine the serum concentration of electrolytes and levels of some serum biochemical parameters in dogs presented with profuse foul-smelling bloody watery diarrhoea.

From October 2018 to February 2019, 60 client-owned dogs were presented at the University of Nigeria Veterinary Teaching Hospital (UNVTH) for vaccination, treatment and regular deworming.

Five (5) out of 60 dogs had profuse foul-smelling watery diarrhoea and were sampled.

A full history and physical examinations were undertaken for the sampled dogs.

Clinical signs such as profuse foul-smelling bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, anorexia, weakness, dehydration and lethargy were observed in the affected dogs.

Three dogs were 4 months old while two dogs are adults.

Blood samples (2 ml) were collected from the cephalic vein of dogs with the above presentation, and sera were harvested for serum biochemical analysis.

Standard procedures were followed in all the serum biochemistry determinations.

The most common electrolyte and serum biochemical abnormalities in 5 dogs with profuse foul-smelling bloody watery diarrhoea were hypokalemia (100%), increased serum bicarbonate level (100%), hyponatremia (75%), and hypoglobulinemia (100%).

Hypochloremia occurred in 20% of the cases, while hypoproteinemia, hypoglobulinemia, and low serum creatinine levels were recorded in 100% of the cases.

Increased urea level was observed in 40% of the affected dogs.

Our study demonstrated that all affected dogs developed hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis following loss of potassium through the gastrointestinal tract consequent upon severe watery diarrhoea.