Abnormal levels of serum electrolytes are commonly encountered abnormalities which may be vitally important in the investigation of a range of disorders. On occasions they may also indicate life-threatening problems that need to be corrected rapidly but also safely. The presentation will evaluate the clinical significance of changes in serum calcium and the value of serum phosphate in understanding the underlying explanations. The impact and reasons for hyponatremia and changes in serum potassium will also be explored along with considerations around optimal management strategies for correcting these problems.
Internal Medicine
- Understand there are two basic reasons for a patient to be hypercalcemic - upregulation of PTH production and non-PTH based explanations which include but are not limited too excess exposure to endogenous and exogenous vitamin D analogues.
- Recognise the value of serum phosphate in determining whether abnormal PTH production is likely to be causing hyper or hypocalcemia
- Understand the impact of hyponatremia on fluid balance and the inherent interactions between sodium levels and body water
- Recognise the disparity between serum potassium levels and the levels of whole body potassium and how these differences need to be evaluated and managed
Presented by Presented by Professor David Church BVSc PhD MACVSc FHEA MRCVS,
Deputy Principal and Professor of Small Animal Studies,
Royal Veterinary College
Presented at Singapore Vet 2019
RVC Clinical Theatre 1
Saturday, 12 October at 9:00 AM