Electrolytes - VETEMCRIT

Blood gas analysis training for ER Vets

This blood gas analysis training for emergency veterinarians, interns, residents, and ECC or anesthesia technicians delivers a focused, interactive, and retention-driven approach to mastering acid–base and electrolyte disorders. Unlike traditional CE courses, webinars, or lectures—often long, passive, and quickly forgotten—this program uses short, targeted lessons, real-life emergency case scenarios, active learning quizzes with feedback, and a collaborative community to keep you engaged and ensure lasting knowledge.

You’ll also gain access to our Emergency Electrolyte and Acid–Base Calculator, allowing you to perform rapid, accurate supplementation calculations and full acid–base interpretation in seconds, giving you the confidence to apply what you’ve learned immediately in critical situations.

Over the last 15 years, I have attended dozens of CE events and watched hundreds of hours of webinars, only to realize a week later that I can recall only 5-10% of this information. Have you ever felt that way?

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Can Venous Blood Be a Substitute for Arterial Samples during CPR?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be a chaotic event, requiring rapid decisions and careful management of both basic and advanced life support. Among the tools used to assess patient status during resuscitation is point-of-care blood gas analysis. But one question arises: Is there a clinical advantage to using arterial over venous blood gas during CPR in dogs and cats, or can venous samples provide equally useful information?

In a recent study, researchers explored this exact question, looking at blood gas values in dogs undergoing CPR to see whether venous blood might stand in for arterial blood in critical situations. Let’s dive into what they found and what it means for veterinary practice.

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Management of Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS) in Dogs and Cats: A Clinical Guideline for Small Animal Practitioners

Introduction

This guideline created by the VETEMCRIT Academy is based on the most current veterinary and human medical literature, encompassing both adult and pediatric research. It was designed as a practical clinical tool for small animal veterinary practitioners.

What is HHS?

HHS (Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State) is a form of diabetic crisis characterized by severe hyperglycemia (>600 mg/dL or >33 mmol/L), minimal or absent urine/plasma ketones, and serum osmolality greater than 325 mOsm/kg in dogs or 350 mOsm/kg in cats (Koenig et al. 2022).

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) and HHS are both forms of diabetic crises. They can be viewed as different manifestations along the same spectrum, as evidenced by the fact that some veterinary and human patients present with a combination of HHS and DKA.

However, there are distinct features of HHS that differentiate it from DKA. Veterinarians must be aware of these differences, as they may impact clinical management.

Unveiling the Mysteries of Ketone Detection in Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. One of the hallmarks of DKA is the presence of ketone bodies in the blood and urine. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the fascinating world of ketone detection and explore the various methods used to identify ketonemia and ketonuria in dogs and cats.

Deep dive into insulin infusion protocols for management of diabetic ketoacidosis in dogs and cats

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a relatively common complication of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats. In the face of insulin deficiency or resistance, the liver produces ketones to provide an alternative energy source from glucose. However, excessive ketone production can lead to high anion gap metabolic acidosis and other negative effects. Besides restoration of intravascular and interstitial fluid deficits as well as electrolyte derangements such as hypokalemia, insulin administration is necessary to stop production of ketones, reduce lipolysis and enhance cellular uptake of glucose.

Several insulin protocols have been described in veterinary medicine to treat DKA patients during the first 24-72 hours of hospitalization until the patient becomes stable and regains appetite. One of the most commonly utilized protocols in clinical practice is an intravenous variable-rate insulin infusion protocol when a short-acting insulin is infused IV and the rate is altered based on blood glucose concentration (Figure 1).