• Sabrina N Hoehne, Kate Hopper, and Steven E Epstein.
• William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (Hoehne) and the Department of Veterinary Surgical and Radiological Sciences (Hopper, Epstein), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
• J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). 2019 Nov 1; 29 (6): 653-661.

ObjectiveTo determine the severity, concurrent clinical signs, and disease processes associated with potassium abnormalities in dogs and cats presenting to a veterinary emergency department and associated mortality.DesignRetrospective and descriptive study over 20 months.SettingUniversity teaching hospital.Animals1916 dog and 525 cat visits.InterventionsNone.Measurements And Main ResultsMedical records from patients with a potassium concentration measured within 24 hours of admission were identified. Hypokalemia and hyperkalemia were defined as a potassium concentration <3.5 mmol/L [3.5 mEq/L] and >5 mmol/L [5 mEq/L], respectively. Associated disease processes and pathophysiologic risk factors for potassium abnormalities were reviewed for moderate to severe potassium abnormalities (<3 mmol/L or ≥6 mmol/L) [<3 mEq/L or ≥6 mEq/L]. Mortality associated with normokalemia, mild, and moderate to severe dyskalemia were evaluated. Overall prevalence of abnormal potassium concentration was 27% in dogs and 40% in cats. Moderate to severe hypokalemia and hyperkalemia were present in 3% of dogs and 8% of cats, and 2% of dogs and 7% of cats, respectively. Moderate to severe hypokalemia was most commonly associated with gastrointestinal disease (48% of dogs and 44% of cats) while moderate to severe hyperkalemia was most commonly associated with urinary tract disease (60% of dogs and 97% of cats). Dogs with hypokalemia and dogs and cats with hyperkalemia (P < 0.001) had significantly greater mortality than those with normokalemia. Dogs with mild hypokalemia and mild hyperkalemia (P < 0.0001) had higher mortality than dogs with normokalemia, but this was not found in cats.ConclusionsDyskalemia was common in this population and was associated with greater mortality. Moderate to severe potassium abnormalities were uncommon in this population and occurred most frequently in animals with gastrointestinal and urinary tract disease.© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2019.

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