RESEARCH ARTICLES
Electrocardiographic changes associated with hyperkalaemia in domestic cats
S. P. Bakshi, S. Ajithkumar, O. K. Sindhu, N. Madhavan Unny and Renjith Sebastian
doi: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2023.54.1.115-124
Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.2023.54(1):115-124
Author Details
S. P. Bakshi: MVSc Scholar, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Ethics and Jurisprudence College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi, Wayanad- 673576, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India
S. Ajithkumar: Professor and Head, University Veterinary Hospital and Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Mannuthy, Thrissur
O. K. Sindhu : Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Ethics and Jurisprudence College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi, Wayanad- 673576, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India
N. Madhavan Unny: Professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Ethics and Jurisprudence College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi, Wayanad- 673576, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India
Renjith Sebastian. : Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi, Wayanad- 673576, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India
Article History
Received: 20.10.2022 Accepted: 28.11.2022 Published online: 31.03.2023
Corresponding author: S. P. Bakshi
e-mail : shrutibakshi64@gmail.com
Citation : Bakshi,S.P., Ajithkumar,S., Sindhu,O.K., Madhavan Unny,N., Sebastian,R. 2023. Electrocardiographic changes associated with hyperkalaemia in domestic cats. J. Vet. Anim. Sci. 54(1):115-124
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2023.54.1.115-124
Abstract
Hyperkalaemia is a life-threatening electrolyte imbalance because it affects cardiac conduction and can lead to fatal arrhythmias if left untreated. The present study describes the occurrence of hyperkalaemia in cats and the electrocardiographic changes associated with this electrolyte imbalance. Hyperkalaemia was identified in 83.33 per cent of the study group subjects. Acute kidney injury and obstructive uropathy were the main clinical conditions associated with it. Electrocardiographic findings in hyperkalaemia in different cats under study included peaked T waves in lead II and the precordial lead CV6LL, atrial standstill and sino-ventricular rhythm, normal sinus rhythm, ventricular tachycardia, first-degree atrio-ventricular block, bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, and atrio-ventricular dissociation. Electrocardiography should always be performed in cases suspected of electrolyte imbalances, particularly hyperkalaemia, so as to identify any fatal arrhythmias and initiate treatment at the earliest.
Keywords: Cat, hyperkalaemia, electrocardiography, cardiac arrhythmias
