Electrolyte imbalances in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathies

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in humans are associated with electrolyte shifts and diarrhea. Chronic inflammatory enteropathies (CIE) in dogs produce inflammatory lesions usually located more diffusely throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The prevalence of electrolyte imbalances in canine CIE is unknown. We retrospectively evaluated serum electrolyte (Na⁺, Cl^-, corrected Cl^-, and K⁺) concentrations in 37 dogs with CIE. Hypokalemia was the most frequent electrolyte abnormality, affecting 7 (19%) CIE dogs and with no difference between food-responsive and immunosuppressant-responsive (IRE) cases. Hyponatremia was less common (14%) and predominantly seen with IRE; serum Na⁺ concentration correlated with the severity of diarrhea and duodenal histologic lesions. Hypo- (5%) and hyperchloridemia (11%) were also detected. Electrolyte imbalances occur with equal frequency in canine CIE and human IBD. Increased K⁺ secretion might exceed compromised Na⁺/Cl^- absorption or K⁺ shifts might be more pronounced in canine CIE. Therefore, the mechanisms underlying CIE-associated diarrhea warrant further research.