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Animal Diseases > Electrolytes > Flashcards

Electrolytes Flashcards

1
Q

Why are electrolytes important in the body

A

Maintaining osmotic pressure/balance

Maintains pH in cells and tissues

Nerve and muscle function

Conduction of electrical impulses

Regulating enzymes

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2
Q

What regulates concentrations of elecrolytes in the body

A

The kidneys and adrenal glands

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3
Q

What are some key electrolytes in higher concentrations in intracellular fluid

A

Potassium (K+)

Magnesium (Mg+)

Phosphate (HPO4 2-)

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4
Q

What are some electrolytes in lower concentrations in the intracellular fluid

A

Sodium (Na+)

Chloride (Cl-)

Calcium (Ca+)

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5
Q

What are some major electrolytes in higher concentrations in extracellular fluid

A

Sodium (Na+)

Chloride (Cl-)

Calcium (Ca+)

Bicarbonate (HCO3-)

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6
Q

If an electrolyte is positively charged it is a

A

Cation

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7
Q

If an electrolyte is negatively charged it is an

A

Anion

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8
Q

What is potassium important for in intracellular fluid

A

Nerve signalling (heart, GI and kidney functions)

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9
Q

What is magnesium important for in intracellular fluid

A

Nerve and muscle function

Bone structure

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10
Q

What is phosphate important for in intracellular fluid

A

Required for ATP and DNA production

Helps control calcium levels

Found in bones and teeth

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11
Q

What is sodium important for in extracellular fluid

A

Major electrolyte for maintaining osmolarity

Effects amount of water in the body

Nerve signalling

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12
Q

What is calcium important for in extracellular fluid

A

Muscle contraction

Nerve activation

Cell signalling

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13
Q

What is chloride important for in extracellular fluid

A

Works with sodium to maintain osmotic balance

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14
Q

What is bicarbonate important for in extracellular fluid

A

Maintains acid-base balance

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15
Q

How are electrolytyes gained in the body

A

Diet

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16
Q

What are some ways electrolytes are lost

A 
Sweat
Urine
Feces 
Epithelial sloughing 
Vomit
Diarrhea 
Endocrine abnormalities
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17
Q

How are electrolyte levels in extracellular fluid measured

A

Serum chemistry panels and/or blood gas analysis

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18
Q

Changes in electrolyte levels will affect cell function and viability, this is especially important for concentrations of intra vs extracellular levels of

A

Sodium, potassium, calcium

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19
Q

What is hypokalemia

A

Low potassium levels in the blood

Potassium is normally higher inside the cells, but in hypokalemia intracellular levels drop

Affects the ability of muscle cells to depolarize

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20
Q

What are signs of hypokalemia (significant loss)

A 
Fatigue
Muscle weakness 
Muscle damage 
Vomit/diarrhea
Anorexia
Abnormal posture (dropped head due to muscle weakness)
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21
Q

What are some causes of hypokalemia

A

Anorexia
GI disease (vomiting/diarrhea)
Loss in urine
Iatrogenic due to use of furosemide

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22
Q

What is the treatment of hypokalemia

A

Oral supplementation

Supplement via IV fluids

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23
Q

What is hyperkalemia

A

High levels of potassium in the blood

Or increase in ratio of potassium to sodium

Normally: potassium flows out of the cell to reset muscles, excess potassium in extracellular fluid prevents the muscle from being reset (extends the time of contractions)

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24
Q

What is the most effected muscle with hyperkalemia

A

The heart (decreases heart rate)

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25
Q

What are the causes of hyperkalemia

A

Renal disease (impaired excretion of K+)

Urethral obstruction

Addison’s disease (hypoadrenocortism) (adrenal glands can’t produce enough of the hormone that maintains Na and K levels)

Equine hyperkalemia periodic paralysis disease (HYPP) in quarter horses

Iatrogenic (we did it); adding too much K+ to fluids, or added K/KCl improperly to a bag

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26
Q

How can you add electrolytes to a fluid bag improperly?

A

ALWAYS disconnect the bag and mix the KCl well before attaching back to the patient

Risk of giving it all to the patient at the same time if it all sinks

27
Q

What are the symptoms of hyperkalemia

A

Decreased/irregular heart rate (bradycardia)

Muscle weakness

Tiredness, lethargy

28
Q

How do you treat hyperkalemia

A

Fluid therapy to support blood pressure and restore balance

There are emergency drugs to increase k+ uptake into the cell

29
Q

What woukd you see on an ECG with hyperkalemia

A

Increased intervals

Slowed heart rate

30
Q

What is hyponatremia

A

Low sodium levels in extracellular fluid, water shifts into cells causing it to swell and possibly lyse

31
Q

What are the causes of hyponatremia

A

Actue GI disease

Renal disease

Uroperitoneum (leakage of urine into the peritoneal space)

Overhydration with water

32
Q

What does hyponatremia do

A

Results in a relative increase of potassium levels so they may show muscle weakness

Can also alter nerve conduction and muscle contraction

33
Q

What is hypernatremia

A

High levels of sodium in the extracellular space

34
Q

Explain the physiology of how cells swell in hypernatremia

A

Extracellular Sodium levels increase due to abnormally high sodium diet

Sodium shifts into the cell

This increases water intake (to the extracellular space) which then causes water to move into the cell (to the now high levels of sodium)

Causes swelling of the cells

35
Q

What can happen due to the swelling of cells with hypernatremia

A

Cerebral edema and compression

36
Q

What is the main cause of hypernatremia

A

Ingestion of excessive amounst of salt or normal levels of salt and no water

37
Q

What are the signs of hypernatremia

A

Neurological signs; central blindness, lack of proper responses, lethargy, circling, twitching and seizures

38
Q

What is the treatment of hypernatremia

A

Very slow reintroduction of water (to allow sodium to balance itself between intra and extracellular fluid

39
Q

How do you prevent hypernatremia

A

Appropriate mixing of diets for livestock

Salt blocks

Ensure access to water

Avoid sudden water intake after dehydration

40
Q

What is the most common situation of hypernatremia

A

Salt toxicosis in pigs

Pigs often head press as a sign (to relieve pain?)

41
Q

Salt is often given to dog as an at home remedy to make them throw up, what can this cause

A

Hypernatremia

42
Q

What is hypophosphatemia

A

Low levels of phosphate

43
Q

Why is hypophosphatemia a problem

A

Phosphate is required for production of ATP , when it is low there is lack of ATP and this results in weakness and over flexion of the neck

44
Q

When is hypophosphatemia most commonly seen

A

In Refeeding Syndrome/injury

In the event of starvation followed by too rapid of introduction of food

45
Q

hypophosphatemia can also be seen with

A

Calcium dysregulation

46
Q

How is hypophosphatemia treated

A

A slow controlled dietary increase (slowly to prevent refeeding syndrome)

47
Q

If calcium levels increase

A

Phosphorus levels decrease

48
Q

What is hypocalcemia

A

A decrease in levels of FREE calcium (NOT blood albumin calcium)

49
Q

Calcium levels are regulated by

A

Calcitrol And parathyroid hormone

50
Q

Calcium is released during muscle contraction (for strength of contraction), decreased calcium results in

A

Decreased muscle contraction

51
Q

What causes hypocalcemia

A

Parathyroid disease (PTH and calcitrol increases Ca, so a decrease in Either decreases Ca)

Vitamin D deficiency (which is required to absorb calcium in the intestines)

Lack of sunlight ( for Vitamin D)

Increased demand for Ca (pregnancy, lactation)

52
Q

What is CHRONIC hypocalcemia

A

Due to lack of Ca and/or Vit D in diet

Body does have time to adjust
But will lead to osteoporosis

It is not normally life threatening

53
Q

What is osteoporosis

A

Loss of bone density due to decreased calcification (bones become soft/brittle and may bend)

Increased risk of fractures

54
Q

What is ACUTE hypocalcemia

A

Low Ca in ECF and ICF

Body does NOT have time to adjust fast enough to low levels

55
Q

What happens due to acute hypocalcemia

A

The heart cannot contract efficiently

Clinical signs: CAT
Convulsions, Arrythmias, muscle Tetany (uncontrolled, often constant contractions)

Muscles in limbs contract and extend outwards

After cardiac failure, death is rapid

56
Q

Who is most prone to acute hypocalcemia

A

Eclampsia in small breed dogs after parturition

Milkfever in cows (lactating after parturition)

Or during pregnancy

57
Q

What is hypercalcemia

A

High extracellular FREE calcium

Results in:
Prolongs rest periods in neurons, and cannot be reactivated, causes sudden muscle contractions (tetany, tachycardia, arrhythmias) followed by sudden weakness

Most common in dogs and cats

58
Q

If there is a slow increase of calcium resulting in hypercalcemia we would see

A

calcification of kidneys and other tissues

59
Q

What are causes of hypercalcemia

A

Idiopathic (dont know)

Hyperparathyroidism (increases calcium levels by increasing absorption frim diet, bone and kidneys) (could be from tumors)

Due to cancers

vitamin D toxicity (increases Ca absorption) due to over supplementation, diet or accidental ingestion

Chronic kidney disease

Hyperadrenocorticism (cushing’s disease)

Iatrogenic

60
Q

What is cushing’s disease

A

Benign tumor on the pituitary gland

61
Q

What is Iatrogenic hypercalcemia

A

Occurs with improper administration of calcium-gluconate by IV injection (too fast)

Too fast can cause sudden cardiac failure and instant death

62
Q

How can you prevent iatrogenic hypercalcemia

A

IV injection of calcium Should always be given slowly, monitor heart rate/rhythm during and after administration

63
Q

What is eclampsia

A

condition in lactating dogs that leads to weakness, muscle stiffness, seizures, and even death. It is caused by low levels of calcium in the blood.

Animal Diseases (15 decks)

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