Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Electrolyte changes in dogs with low adrenal hormone levels
By Adler, Jennifer A et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2007·Department of Clinical Studies, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Abnormalities of serum electrolyte concentrations in dogs with hypoadrenocorticism.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with low sodium and high potassium levels were tested for a condition called hypoadrenocorticism (HA), which affects hormone production. Researchers found that a sodium to potassium ratio (Na:K ratio) of 27 or 28 accurately identified most dogs with this condition, with a high chance of confirming HA through further testing. This means that if your dog has abnormal electrolyte levels, checking the Na:K ratio can help your vet diagnose HA effectively. Treatment typically involves hormone replacement therapy, which can help manage the condition.
People also search for: dog low sodium high potassium · hypoadrenocorticism treatment in dogs · dog electrolyte imbalance symptoms
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The sensitivity and specificity of the sodium to potassium ratio (Na:K ratio) as a cutoff for recommendation of an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test in dogs suspected of having hypoadrenocorticism (HA) is unknown. Additionally, abnormalities in plasma ionized calcium (iCa2+) and ionized magnesium (iMg2+) concentrations and venous pH of dogs with HA are incompletely documented. OBJECTIVES: To define the sensitivity and specificity of the Na:K ratio as a diagnostic aid for HA in dogs and to examine for associations between venous pH and the Na:K ratio, iCa2+ concentration, or iMg2+ concentration in dogs with HA. ANIMALS: Seventy-six dogs with HA and 200 dogs randomly selected from the general hospital population. METHODS: Retrospective study. Dogs were included in the study if results of an ACTH stimulation test confirmed a diagnosis of HA, the dog had a serum sodium concentration below the reference range or a serum potassium concentration above the reference range, and the dog was treated with mineralocorticoids. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to determine optimal cutoffs of sensitivity and specificity for the Na:K ratio in diagnosing HA. RESULTS: Use of Na:K ratios of 27 or 28 classified 95% of dogs correctly as diseased or not diseased. The sensitivity of a Na:K ratio of 28 was 93% (CI, 85-98%) and that of 27 was 89% (CI, 80-95%). The specificity of a Na:K ratio of 28 was 96% (CI, 92-98%) and that of 27 was 97% (CI, 93- 99%). The sensitivity and specificity of a Na:K ratio of 24 were 79% (95% CI, 67-86%) and 100% (98%, CI, 97%-100%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Na:K ratios of 27 or 28 identify the highest percentage of dogs with suspected mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid deficiency correctly. In dogs with a Na:K ratio of 24 or less, the likelihood of confirming a diagnosis of HA with an ACTH stimulation test is high.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18196721/