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Serum ionized calcium in dogs with chronic renal failure and metabolic acidosis
Author(s) -
Kogika Marcia M.,
Lustoza Marcio D.,
Notomi Marcia K.,
Wirthl Vera A. B. F.,
Mirandola Regina M. S.,
Hagiwara Mitika K.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
veterinary clinical pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1939-165X
pISSN - 0275-6382
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-165x.2006.tb00161.x
Subject(s) - metabolic acidosis , medicine , calcium , acidosis , endocrinology , hyperphosphatemia , metabolic disorder , calcium metabolism , chemistry , phosphorus , organic chemistry
Background: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a common disease in dogs, and many metabolic disorders can be observed, including metabolic acidosis and calcium and phosphorus disturbances. Acidosis may change the ionized calcium (i‐Ca) fraction, usually increasing its concentration. Objective: In this study we evaluated the influence of acidosis on the serum concentration of i‐Ca in dogs with CRF and metabolic acidosis. Methods: Dogs were studied in 2 groups: group I (control group = 40 clinically normal dogs) and group II (25 dogs with CRF and metabolic acidosis). Serum i‐Ca was measured by an ion‐selective electrode method; other biochemical analytes were measured using routine methods. Results: The i‐Ca concentration was significantly lower in dogs in group II than in group I; 56% of the dogs in group II were hypocalcemic. Hypocalcemia was observed in only 8% of dogs in group II when based on total calcium (t‐Ca) concentration. No correlation between pH and i‐Ca concentration was observed. A slight but significant correlation was detected between i‐Ca and serum phosphorus concentration ( r =−.284; P = .022), as well as between serum t‐Ca and i‐Ca concentration ( r = .497; P < .0001). Conclusion: The i‐Ca concentration in dogs with CRF and metabolic acidosis varied widely from that of t‐Ca, showing the importance of determining the biologically active form of calcium. Metabolic acidosis did not influence the increase in i‐Ca concentration, so other factors besides acidosis in CRF might alter the i‐Ca fraction, such as hyperphosphatemia and other compounds that may form complexes with calcium.