Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with severe weakness and low potassium after albuterol exposure
By McCown, Jennifer L et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2008·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences and the Veterinary Medical Center, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Suspected albuterol toxicosis in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-old male Shetland Sheepdog was brought to the vet because he was weak and had low potassium levels after possibly eating albuterol, a medication meant for horses. The dog showed signs like fever, rapid breathing, and severe weakness in his front legs and paralysis in his back legs. After treatment with an intravenous electrolyte solution and potassium supplements, his potassium levels improved, and he made a full recovery without needing any other treatments.
People also search for: dog weakness low potassium · Shetland Sheepdog albuterol poisoning · dog treatment for hypokalemia
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 6-year-old male castrated Shetland Sheepdog was evaluated because of severe hypokalemia and progressive paresis. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Physical examination revealed fever, tachypnea, mydriasis, hyperemic mucous membranes, severe forelimb paresis, and hind limb paraplegia. The dog had superficial and deep pain sensation in all 4 limbs. Forelimb spinal reflexes were considered normal, but hind limb reflexes were normal to slightly hyperreflexive. The panniculus reflex was considered to be normal, and cranial nerve reflexes were intact. A CBC revealed mild leukocytosis and erythrocytosis, and serum biochemical analysis revealed severe hypokalemia. Thoracic and abdominal imaging did not reveal relevant findings. Blood pressure and ECG findings were within reference limits. Questioning of the owner revealed possible exposure to albuterol via ingestion of medication intended for the owner's horse. Results of serum testing via immunoassay were suggestive of albuterol toxicosis. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Treatment included IV administration of an electrolyte solution and supplemental potassium chloride. The rate of potassium chloride supplementation was slowly decreased as serum potassium concentration increased. No other medical intervention was required, and the dog made a rapid and complete recovery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ingestion of albuterol can lead to profound physical and serum biochemical abnormalities. Appropriate historical information should be obtained to identify possible sources and routes of exposure to intoxicants. Albuterol-induced hypokalemia can be successfully managed medically.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18412527/