Premium
Successful use of short‐term mechanical ventilation to manage respiratory failure secondary to profound hypokalemia in a cat with hyperaldosteronism
Author(s) -
Hammond Tara N.,
Holm Jennifer L.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of veterinary emergency and critical care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.886
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1476-4431
pISSN - 1479-3261
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-4431.2008.00340.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hypokalemia , mechanical ventilation , hyperaldosteronism , respiratory failure , spironolactone , anesthesia , surgery , heart failure , aldosterone
Objective– To report successful management of respiratory failure due to severe hypokalemia in a cat with hyperaldosteronism, including short‐term mechanical ventilation strategies and aspects of medical and surgical treatment. Case Summary– A cat presented with bilateral pelvic limb weakness that rapidly progressed to tetraparesis and respiratory muscle failure. Point‐of‐care testing revealed severe hypokalemia (1.9 mmol/L) and mild azotemia. Initial management included endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, and aggressive potassium supplementation. Spironolactone was started due to a high index of suspicion for hyperaldosteronism. A right adrenal mass visualized during abdominal ultrasonographic examination and a serum aldosterone level greater than 3329 pmol/L confirmed the diagnosis. The cat made a full recovery following surgical removal of a right adrenal adenoma. New or Unique Information Provided– We report successful management of respiratory failure in a cat with hyperaldosteronism using short‐term mechanical ventilation. Respiratory failure due to severe hypokalemia should be considered a complication of hyperaldosteronism in cats and may require mechanical ventilation. However, full recovery is possible.