Tag: FLUTD
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Hyperkalaemia, pt 1: clinical signs and causes
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Hyperkalaemia is a relatively common electrolyte abnormality encountered in the clinic and always requires immediate attention, as myocardial toxicity can occur when serum potassium concentration gets sufficiently high (exceeding 5.5mmol/L). Hyperkalaemia causes clinical signs due to its effect on the resting membrane potential. The increase in potassium causes depolarisation of this potential, which, in effect,…
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Temporary catheters in obstructed FLUTDs: buying time with a blocked cat
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Obstructive feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a common presentation in both general practice and emergency settings. Every clinician has his or her own approach to treating and managing a cat with obstructive FLUTD signs. Working in an emergency setting, once I have confirmed an obstructed bladder via palpation, I focus on trying to…
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Confronted by prejudice
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The consultation had been going well. The FLUTD was cured – at least for the moment – and the cat was safely back in its box, presumably experiencing the strange sensation of being relieved to find itself in a carrier. As I wrote the notes, my conversation with the owner – a large, middle-aged woman…
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Anti-science
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I gently squeeze the cat’s abdomen. There isn’t much to feel, but the muscles tense and the cat looks at me reproachfully. A tiny bead of bloody urine appears at its vulva and drips on to the consult table. “I think we’re dealing with cystitis here,” I said. Of course, technically it’s probably feline lower…