Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Puppy with leptospirosis had fast irregular heart from high potassium
By Rubanick, Jean V et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2016·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Severe hyperkalemia presenting with wide-complex tachycardia in a puppy with acute kidney injury secondary to leptospirosis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 11-week-old Golden Retriever-Standard Poodle mix puppy was brought to the vet for sudden kidney problems and liver issues. The puppy was found to have dangerously high potassium levels, which caused a rapid heart rate (wide-complex tachycardia). The vet treated the hyperkalemia, and once the potassium levels returned to normal, the puppy's heart rate also stabilized. This case highlights the importance of checking potassium levels in dogs with heart issues.
People also search for: puppy kidney problems · high potassium in dogs · dog rapid heart rate treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of hyperkalemia coinciding with wide-complex tachycardia (WCT) in a dog with acute kidney injury secondary to leptospirosis infection. CASE SUMMARY: An 11-week-old Golden Retriever-Standard Poodle cross puppy was referred for acute kidney injury and hepatopathy. WCT coinciding with marked hyperkalemia was identified on presentation. Tachycardia persisted until resolution of hyperkalemia. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: To our knowledge, this is the first report of severe hyperkalemia presenting with WCT in a dog. Hyperkalemia should be considered a differential for WCT in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26865222/