Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Electrolyte and heart problems in dogs after refeeding
By Crecraft, Catherine & Prittie, Jennifer·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2021·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Electrolyte Derangements, Hyperlactatemia, and Cardiac Abnormalities Secondary to Refeeding in Three Dogs: Case Report.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three severely underweight dogs were brought to the emergency vet for monitoring and refeeding. During their stay, they developed low levels of important minerals (electrolyte derangements) and needed extra supplements to address these deficiencies. Additionally, they experienced high levels of lactic acid in their blood (hyperlactatemia), likely due to a lack of thiamine (a vitamin). Two of the dogs also had heart issues, including irregular heartbeats and reduced heart function. The vets managed their conditions with careful monitoring and supplementation, helping the dogs recover from these serious complications.
People also search for: dog refeeding syndrome symptoms · dog electrolyte imbalance treatment · dog heart problems after starvation
Abstract
Three dogs that presented to the emergency service in severely emaciated body conditions were admitted to the hospital for monitoring and refeeding. During their hospitalization, all three dogs developed electrolyte derangements or required supplementation to prevent hypophosphatemia and hypomagnesemia. Additionally, all dogs developed hyperlactatemia, which was suspected to be secondary to thiamine deficiency. Two dogs were reported to have cardiac abnormalities, including cardiac arrhythmias, systolic dysfunction, and spontaneous echogenic contrast. These cases highlight the complexity of refeeding syndrome and its associated complications that extend beyond electrolyte deficiencies.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34606603/