Ionized hypocalcemia as a prognostic indicator in dogs following trauma.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of ionized hypocalcemia (iHCa) in dogs with blunt and penetrating traumatic injuries upon presentation to a hospital, and to determine the association of iHCa with mortality, duration of hospitalization, and requirement for intensive care therapies.


METHODS
Retrospective study (January 2007-December 2008).


METHODS
University veterinary teaching hospital.


METHODS
Eighty-eight dogs admitted to the ICU within 24 hours of a traumatic event and with assessment of a venous blood gas sample, including ionized calcium, at hospital admission.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
Most dogs (72%) sustained injuries as a result of a motor vehicle accident. iHCa (<1.25 mmol/L [<2.50 mEq/L]) was present in 14 of 88 dogs (16%). Dogs with abdominal trauma were significantly more likely to have iHCa (P = 0.020) than dogs with other injuries. Dogs with iHCa spent significantly longer time in the hospital (P = 0.036) and ICU (P = 0.005), and were more likely to require oxygen supplementation (P = 0.048), synthetic colloids (P = 0.020), vasopressors (P = 0.0043), and blood transfusions (P < 0.0001). Six of 14 dogs (43%) with iHCa demonstrated clinical signs consistent with hypocalcemia during the course of hospitalization, and calcium gluconate was administered intravenously to one dog. Overall mortality was 16% (14/88) and dogs with iHCa were significantly less likely to survive (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of iHCa upon hospital admission in this group of dogs with blunt and penetrating trauma is similar to the incidence of iHCa in critically ill dogs. Findings further suggest that dogs with iHCa are more severely injured and subsequently require increased intensive care therapies and have a lower likelihood of survival compared to dogs with normocalcemia. Ionized calcium concentration may therefore be a useful prognostic indicator in dogs with blunt and penetrating traumatic injuries.
Department of Clinical Studies, University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, ON, Canada. mholoway@uoguelph.ca
Marie K
MK
Holowaychuk
Gabrielle
G
Monteith
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale / Q000662:veterinary; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D007902:Length of Stay; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012582:Schools, Veterinary; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*