# Retrospective Evaluation of the Prevalence and Prognosis of Hypochloremia in Dogs and Cats

## TL;DR

This study found that low chloride levels in pets are common and linked to higher death rates, especially in cats and hospital-acquired cases.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the prevalence and prognosis of corrected hypochloremia in veterinary patients.

## Key findings

- Corrected hypochloremia was found in 13.9% of dogs and 34.9% of cats.
- Hospital-acquired hypochloremia had higher case-fatality rates than prehospital cases.
- Urologic, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal diseases were the most common associated conditions.

## Abstract

To determine the prevalence, case‐fatality rate, and primary disease processes associated with corrected hypochloremia (hypo[Cl−]) in dogs and cats.

Single‐center retrospective study.

Electronic medical records were reviewed to identify dogs and cats with at least one chloride and sodium concentration measured simultaneously during a 60‐month period.

A total of 17,120 dogs and 4197 cats presented to a veterinary teaching hospital.

None.

Measured hypo[Cl−] was diagnosed in 23.3% (3981/17,120) dogs and 59.0% (2475/4197) cats. Corrected hypo[Cl−] was diagnosed in 13.9% (2388/17,120) dogs and 34.9% (1463/4197) cats. The case‐fatality rates were higher in animals with measured and corrected hypo[Cl−] than those with normal corrected [Cl−] (p < 0.0001). The case‐fatality rate was also higher in cats with corrected hypo[Cl−] than those with measured hypo[Cl−] (p = 0.0002), but they were not different in dogs (p = 0.74). Of the dogs and cats with corrected hypo[Cl−], a total of 74.5% (1779/2388) dogs and 74.6% (1091/1463) cats were categorized as prehospital corrected hypo[Cl−], and a total of 20.9% (498/2388) dogs and 17.3% (253/1463) cats were categorized as hospital‐acquired corrected hypo[Cl−]. The case‐fatality rates of dogs and cats with hospital‐acquired corrected hypo[Cl−] were higher than those with prehospital corrected hypo[Cl−] (p < 0.0001). Various primary disease processes were identified in animals with corrected hypo[Cl−]. Of these, urologic, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal diseases were the three most common disease processes identified in dogs and cats with corrected hypo[Cl−].

Corrected hypo[Cl−] was a common electrolyte abnormality and was associated with higher case‐fatality rates than normal corrected [Cl−]. Various disease processes were associated with corrected hypo[Cl−], and closer attention to corrected hypo[Cl−] is warranted.