Serum electrolyte abnormalities in cats with chronic inflammatory enteropathy

Abstract

Background: Limited information is available on electrolyte abnormalities in cats with chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE). Hypothesis/Objectives: Report the prevalence of electrolyte abnormalities in cats with CIE compared to other gastrointestinal disorders, and determine their association with disease and outcome variables in cats with CIE. Animals: Three hundred twenty-eight client-owned cats from 2 referral hospitals: CIE (132), alimentary small cell lymphoma (29), acute gastroenteritis (48), and healthy controls (119). Methods: Retrospective study comparing serum electrolyte concentrations at time of diagnosis among the 4 groups of cats, and associations with clinical signs, intestinal mucosal fibrosis scores, treatment subclassification and outcome in CIE. Results: Cats with CIE had lower sodium and higher potassium concentrations and lower sodium: potassium ratios compared with healthy cats (P