title: Hypoglycemia associated with refeeding syndrome in a cat.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the clinical presentation and biochemical abnormalities occurring during the successful treatment of refeeding syndrome in a cat.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 2-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat presented after having been missing for 12 weeks. The cat had clinical signs of severe starvation. Common complications developed during refeeding (eg, hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, and hemolytic anemia). The cat also developed hypoglycemia, a complication common in people but not previously reported in a cat. Hypoglycemia and electrolyte deficiencies were managed with intravenous supplementation. The cat was successfully treated and was discharged alive 7 days after presentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypoglycemia has not been reported previously as a complication of refeeding in a cat. Frequent monitoring of electrolyte, mineral, and blood glucose concentrations is essential to successful management of refeeding syndrome. The ideal refeeding strategy is unknown at this time. Evidence suggests that a diet low in carbohydrate decreases the likelihood of metabolic derangements commonly associated with refeeding.
authors.affiliation: VCA Emergency Animal Hospital and Referral Center, San Diego, CA, 92108. vetclinpathjournal@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marisa D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: DeAvilla
authors.affiliation: VCA Emergency Animal Hospital and Referral Center, San Diego, CA, 92108.
authors.forename: Elizabeth B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Leech
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002415:Cats; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D055677:Refeeding Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes
keywords: clinical chemistry; clinical pathology; electrolytes; glucose metabolism; nutrition; refeeding syndrome