title: Increased ratio of peritoneal effusion-to-serum potassium concentration in a dog with gastric perforation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the clinical and laboratory findings of a dog with gastric perforation, resulting in a markedly increased peritoneal effusion-to-serum potassium ratio.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 6-year-old mixed breed neutered male dog presented with a right femoral fracture after being hit by car. The fracture was repaired surgically. Four days postoperatively, the dog developed peritoneal effusion, confirmed with ultrasonography. Peritoneal effusion analysis and serum biochemistry, performed concurrently, showed blood-to-effusion glucose difference >1.1 mmol/L [>20 mg/dL], suggesting the effusion was septic. The effusion-to-serum creatinine ratio was mildly increased (1.36) and the effusion-to-serum potassium ratio was markedly increased (>2.67). Combined, these findings were suggestive of a septic uroabdomen. A positive contrast retrograde urethrocystography did not reveal urine leakage from the lower urinary tract. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a gastric perforation in the pyloric area and an intact urinary tract.
  Gastric perforation should be considered a differential diagnosis in dogs with an increased peritoneal effusion to serum potassium ratio.
authors.affiliation: Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel. jbenoz@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ben Oz
authors.affiliation: Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel.
authors.forename: Itamar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aroch
authors.affiliation: Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel.
authors.forename: Gilad
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Segev
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D012421:Rupture / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013270:Stomach / Q000293:injuries*
chemical_list: D011188:Potassium
keywords: canine; hyperkalemia; perforation; trauma; uroabdomen