Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Acid-base changes in diabetic dogs and cats with ketosis
By Cuddy, Lindsay N et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2025·Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Retrospective evaluation of acid-base analysis in dogs and cats with diabetic ketosis (2017-2021): 96 cases.
Plain-English summary
A group of 81 dogs and 15 cats with diabetes and ketosis (a serious condition where the body produces high levels of ketones) were evaluated for their acid-base balance. The study found that many of these pets had complex acid-base disorders, which means their blood chemistry was off balance. Traditional tests showed that only a small percentage had normal acid-base status, while most had either metabolic acidosis or alkalosis. Understanding these imbalances is crucial for proper treatment, as recognizing them can help veterinarians manage diabetic ketoacidosis more effectively.
People also search for: dog diabetes symptoms · cat ketosis treatment · diabetic ketoacidosis in pets · acid-base balance in dogs and cats · managing diabetes in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the acid-base balance of diabetic animals with ketosis and to identify underlying mechanisms of acid-base changes using semiquantitative analysis. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Eighty-one client-owned dogs and 15 client-owned cats with diabetes and concurrent ketosis presented to a university teaching hospital. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The medical records database was searched from January 2017 through December 2021 for dogs and cats with diabetes mellitus and ketones present in urine or blood samples that also had venous blood gas and serum biochemical assays performed within 24 hours of each other. Traditional analysis identified normal acid-base status in 20% of dogs and 7% of cats. A simple metabolic acidosis with an elevated anion gap was observed in 17% of dogs and 20% of cats, and a metabolic alkalosis was present in 4% of dogs and 7% of cats. The semiquantitative approach identified metabolic acid-base disorders in all animals. One or more acidifying processes were evident in 100% of dogs and 100% of cats, 1 or more alkalotic processes in 93% of dogs and 100% of cats, concurrent alkalotic and acidotic processes in 85% of dogs and 100% of cats, and unmeasured anions in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Dogs and cats with diabetic ketosis can have variable and complex acid-base disorders that may be better recognized using semiquantitative analysis. Diagnostic criteria such as low pH or a high anion gap may prevent the clinical recognition of diabetic ketoacidosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39831448/