Clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment of alkalemia in dogs: 20 cases (1982-1984)
Robinson, E.P.; Hardy, R.M.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 192(7): 943-949
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 3366685 Document Number: 314319
Alkalaemia (blood pH > 7.50) is considered an uncommon acid-base abnormality in dogs. A retrospective study of case records of 962 dogs in which blood gas estimations were made yielded information about 20 (2.0%) dogs with alkalaemia. Metabloic disorders, mainly gastrointestinal, resulted in alkalaemia in 13 dogs. Treatment included replacement of fluid and electrolytes, and 8 underwent surgical procedures. Respiratory and cardiac disorders resulted in alkalaemia in 7 dogs; treatments included oxygen, analgesics, and alterations of mechanical ventilation. Ten alkalaemic dogs had double or triple acid-base abnormalities. Twelve dogs had no physiological compensation for alkalosis, although the duration of their clinical signs averaged 6 days. Although alkalaemia is considered a less serious acid-base disorder than acidaemia, 7 of the 20 dogs died with in 48 hours of blood gas measurement.