Frequency of blood electrolyte disorders occurrence in small breed dogs in St.Petersburg

Abstract

Mineral metabolism in general and particularly electrolyte balance are integrated in all metabolic processes. The study of blood parameters deviations and ways of their correction in different animal species is an important and urgent task [1, 2]. Understanding the frequency of electrolyte disorders in dogs of small breeds, as the most common breeds of dogs of a large metropolis of St. Petersburg, will allow small pets veterinary specialists to prescribe additional studies competently and rationally, which in turn will improve the process of making the correct diagnosis and further treatment [5]. The purpose of the presented study was to identify the most common electrolyte disorders in dogs of small breeds (Yorkshire Terrier, Russian Toy Terriers and Pomeranian Spitz) in St. Petersburg with subsequent statistical processing of the results obtained. The object of the study was blood serum, in which the level of potassium, sodium, total calcium, ionized calcium, chlorides and phosphorus was determined according to generally accepted methods. The frequency of occurrence of electrolyte abnormalities in the group of old dogs (older than 12 years) was the highest (80%), electrolyte abnormalities were least common in adult dogs (from 1 to 6 years) (55%). In the group of aging dogs (from 7 to 11 years old), electrolyte disturbances occurred with a frequency of 72.73%. In 37.1% of all cases, two or more electrolyte level deviations were observed in all age groups. The most common violations of chloride levels were 40.32% (hypochloremia was observed in 1.61% of cases, hyperchloremia in 38.71% of cases). Violations of serum sodium levels were the least frequent – 3.23% (hyponatremia was not observed, hypernatremia was observed in 3.23% of cases). It should be noted that in order to more accurately determine the diagnostic significance and the possibility of determining forecasts, it is necessary to increase the number of animal samples with an assessment of indicators in dynamics.