• Pamela K Fettig, Dennis B Bailey, and Kristi M Gannon.
• Oradell Animal Hospital, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA. Astivet2@optonline.net
• J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). 2012 Aug 1;22(4):447-52.

ObjectiveTo determine and compare reference intervals of the strong ion gap (SIG) in a group of healthy dogs determined with 2 different equations.DesignProspective observational study.SettingTertiary referral and teaching hospital.AnimalsFifty-four healthy dogs.InterventionsNone.MeasurementsSerum biochemistry and blood gas analyses were performed for each dog. From these values, SIG was calculated using 2 different equations: SIG(1) = SID(a) {[Na (+)] + [K(+)] - [Cl(-)]+ [2 × Ca(2+)] + [2 × Mg(2+)] - [L-lactate]}- SID(e) {TCO(2) + A(-)} and SIG(2) = [albumin] × 4.9-anion gap. Reference intervals were established for each SIG equation using the mean ± 1.96 × standard deviation (SD).ResultsFor SIG(1), the median was 7.13 mEq/L (range, 1.05-11.30 mEq/L) and the derived reference interval was 1.85-10.61 mEq/L. Median SIG(2) was -0.22 mEq/L (range, -5.34-6.61 mEq/L) and the mean SIG(2) was -0.09 mEq/L (95% confidence interval for the mean, -0.82-0.65 mEq/L). The derived reference interval was -5.36-5.18 mEq/L. The results of the SIG calculations were significantly different (P < 0.0001) between the 2 equations used.ConclusionThe 2 equations used to calculate SIG yielded significantly different results and cannot be used interchangeably. The authors believe SIG(2) to be a more accurate reflection of acid-base status in healthy dogs, and recommend that this calculation be used for future studies.© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2012.

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