Electrolytes

Question 1

electrolyte importance

Answer 1

• maintain pH
• maintain osmosis
• nerve + muscle
• enzyme regulation

Question 2

electrolyte regulated by

Answer 2

kidneys + adrenals

Question 3

potassium

Answer 3

hypokalemia:
- v/d
- fatigue, muscle weakness

hyperkalemia:
- urethral obstruction
- can’t lift head up
- kidney failure
- addisons
- bradycardia

Question 4

sodium

Answer 4

hyponatremia:
- pushes water into cell
- alters nerve conduction

hypernatremia:
- water into cell
eg. salt toxicity in pigs

Question 5

phosphate

Answer 5

hypophosphatemia:
- needed for ATP
eg. re-feeding injury

Question 6

calcium

Answer 6

hypocalcemia:
- decrease in free Ca
- vit D deficiency (becomes calcitrol needed for Ca absorption)
- parathyroid disease
chronic - bones demineralize (osteoporosis)
acute - after parturition, milk fever/eclampsia affects heart muscles
- CAT: convulsions, arrhythmias, tetany

hypercalcemia:
- increase in free Ca
- increase in muscle contraction
- muscle cramps, weakness, fatigue
- vit d toxicity, cushings
- iatrogenic from giving ca too quickly (-> cardiac failure)