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Hyperkalemia in felines
Decreased urinary excretion of potassium is the most important cause of hyperkalemia in feline practice. It usually results from urethral obstruction, ruptured bladder, and anuric or oliguric renal failure.
Potassium Consumption
Potassium is an essential mineral which maintain fluid balance, nerve impulse, muscle and cardiac function. It also keep the electrolyte balance in the bodies of humans and animals. On the average, healthy feline diet provides all the potassium need but high level of potassium can affect the heart. When the kidney is no longer able to eliminate potassium, there is a risk of heart failure. Cats at the end stage of chronic renal failure are prone to this condition. It is not advisable to give feline with special needs like chronic renal failure or diabetes, a potassium supplements unless prescribed.
Decreased urinary excretion of potassium is the most important cause of hyperkalemia in feline practice. It usually results from urethral obstruction, ruptured bladder, and anuric or oliguric renal failure.
Renal Failure
Because the kidneys perform a variety of different functions, the clinical signs of renal failure can be somewhat variable. The most common changes seen are increased thirst and urination, weight loss, poor hair quality, halitosis (bad breath), variable appetite which may be associated with mouth ulcers, vomiting, lethargy and depression. Sometimes renal failure is seen as sudden onset blindness which is secondary to high blood pressure.
High blood pressure can cause cats to act in ways we would refer to as cranky, easily agitated, or aggressive towards people, especially children, or other animals. Illness, pain or discomfort from any source often triggers cats to act out of their ordinary routine. They may hide, be less social, have different eating habits as described above, or different elimination habits which often means not using their litter box to urinate or defecate.1
Treatment
Treatment varies according to the underlying cause. Supportive measures will first focus on the symptoms, lowering potassium levels to normal blood levels, while pursuing a definitive diagnosis. Saline, given at 0.9 percent, is the fluid of choice for lowering potassium concentrations and blunting the effects of hyperkalemia on cardiac conduction.
If the feline is dehydrated or hypotensive (abnormally low blood pressure), fluids can be administered rapidly. Medications will be prescribed as appropriate by the veterinarian.2