Electrolyte Panel
Electrolytes are vital to your pets’ health. Abnormal levels can be life threatening. We need to monitor during vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and cardiac symptoms.
What does it mean?
Sodium (Na) – role is water distribution, body fluid osmotic pressure and pH balance.Increase = dehydration, heat strokeDecrease = congestive heart failure, gastrointestinal losses, chronic renal failure Potassium (K) – role is muscle function, respiration, and cardiac functionIncrease = diabetes, tissue trauma, acute renal failureDecrease = congestive heart failure, constipation, diabetes, peritonitis, renal failure Chloride (Cl) – role is acid-base balance and osmotic pressure in bloodIncrease = metabolic acidosisDecrease = severe vomiting, constipation