Small Animal Abdominal and Metabolic Disorders Q&A 07
A two-year-old, neutered female Basset Hound is presented with a history of several weeks’ intermittent lethargy, anorexia and slight increase in thirst. More recently the dog has been vomiting and has now developed haemorrhagic diarrhoea. The laboratory results shown were obtained.
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| How would you interpret these laboratory results? | Subtle chronic disease and acute GI signs are suspicious of hypoadrenocorticism; the electrolyte values are suggestive. Azotaemia is most likely pre-renal in origin as hyponatraemia causes hypovolaemia and poor renal perfusion. The urine is somewhat concentrated indicating some renal tubular activity, but it is not fully concentrated because of hyponatraemia. Mild hypercalcaemia may be seen in this disease. This dog may be anaemic, but this will not be recognized until ECF volume is restored. |
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| How would you confirm your tentative diagnosis? | By the ACTH stimulation test before life-time steroid replacement therapy is started. |
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