ACID-BASE BALANCE (Acidosis & Alkalosis)
Oct 15, 2009 5:58:38 GMT 10
Post by Tom Meulman on Oct 15, 2009 5:58:38 GMT 10
ACID-BASE BALANCE - CHLORIDE AND BICARBONATE
The determination of serum chloride and bicarbonate levels is mainly concerned with establishing the Ph of the blood, and to determine the existence of either Acidosis or Alkalosis.
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
Any clinical condition in which HYDROGEN IONS accumulate in the blood plasma, because of an excessive production of acidic waste, as in LACTIC ACIDOSIS due to excessive exercise and or reduced kidney function.
The excessive amount of hydrogen ions in the blood may cause the transfer of hydrogen ions into the cell, to maintain balance potassium ions then shift out of the cell.
Acidosis also favours retention of potassium in the body fluid, due to the lower levels of bicarbonate entering the kidneys.
Therefore greyhounds with metabolic acidosis may have normal or slightly higher levels of serum potassium, however the cells (intra cellular fluid) may be low in potassium (INTRA CELLULAR ACIDOSIS).
METABOLIC ALKALOSIS
Any clinical condition, in which there is a deficiency of HYDROGEN IONS in blood plasma, this may be caused by excessive intake of alkalising medication or from loss of acids due to severe vomiting.
INTRACELLULAR ACIDOSIS
In greyhounds suffering from HYPERADRENOCORTICISM, potassium depletion may cause an increase in HYDROGEN IONS within the cell, this is then followed by the excretion of acid urine despite the fact that the blood plasma may be alkaline, and the greyhound may be suffering from METABOLIC ALKALOSIS.
The use of alkalising agents in response to a dipstick urine test (acid urine) will only aggravate the condition.
Correcting the low potassium level is essential for recovery.
RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS
Any clinical condition where CARBON DIOXIDE production in the body tissue, exceeds the ability of the lungs to remove it.
Respiratory acidosis is not common, except in extremely severe lung infections or when lung function is depressed, either under anaesthetic or from inappropriate drug use.
RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
Any clinical condition where CARBON DIOXIDE removal by the lungs, exceeds its production by body tissue.
Respiratory alkalosis is relatively common in low-grade lung inflammation, such as kennel cough, or any condition that includes hyperventilation.
Greyhounds suffering pre-race stress syndrome may suffer from respiratory alkalosis as a result of excessive barking.
However, body defence mechanisms in the case of respiratory alkalosis are extremely efficient and the condition normally clears quickly without treatment.
Unless of course, the greyhound stresses as a result of a hard race, and quite often greyhounds that suffer pre-race stress syndrome also suffer from Hyperadrenocorticism in which case the RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS may be complicated by METABOLIC ALKALOSIS.
BODY FLUID Ph is normally maintained within narrow limits despite the continuous addition of large quantities of metabolic acids from the various processes within the body, and additions of carbon dioxide from cell function.
Three different types of mechanisms defend against any large changes of the blood Ph.
Chemical Buffers
Buffers are compounds that can absorb or donate HYDROGEN IONS as may be required; these include proteins, phosphates, sodium bicarbonate and haemoglobin.
Shifts in Ions
HYDROGEN IONS may shift into (where they are chemically buffered) or out of the body cells as may be required.
Response by Body Organs
The kidneys can either retain or excrete acids, while the lungs, via increased or lowered breathing, can regulate ACID-BASE BALANCE by either retaining or expelling CARBON DIOXIDE.
The determination of serum chloride and bicarbonate levels is mainly concerned with establishing the Ph of the blood, and to determine the existence of either Acidosis or Alkalosis.
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
Any clinical condition in which HYDROGEN IONS accumulate in the blood plasma, because of an excessive production of acidic waste, as in LACTIC ACIDOSIS due to excessive exercise and or reduced kidney function.
The excessive amount of hydrogen ions in the blood may cause the transfer of hydrogen ions into the cell, to maintain balance potassium ions then shift out of the cell.
Acidosis also favours retention of potassium in the body fluid, due to the lower levels of bicarbonate entering the kidneys.
Therefore greyhounds with metabolic acidosis may have normal or slightly higher levels of serum potassium, however the cells (intra cellular fluid) may be low in potassium (INTRA CELLULAR ACIDOSIS).
METABOLIC ALKALOSIS
Any clinical condition, in which there is a deficiency of HYDROGEN IONS in blood plasma, this may be caused by excessive intake of alkalising medication or from loss of acids due to severe vomiting.
INTRACELLULAR ACIDOSIS
In greyhounds suffering from HYPERADRENOCORTICISM, potassium depletion may cause an increase in HYDROGEN IONS within the cell, this is then followed by the excretion of acid urine despite the fact that the blood plasma may be alkaline, and the greyhound may be suffering from METABOLIC ALKALOSIS.
The use of alkalising agents in response to a dipstick urine test (acid urine) will only aggravate the condition.
Correcting the low potassium level is essential for recovery.
RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS
Any clinical condition where CARBON DIOXIDE production in the body tissue, exceeds the ability of the lungs to remove it.
Respiratory acidosis is not common, except in extremely severe lung infections or when lung function is depressed, either under anaesthetic or from inappropriate drug use.
RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
Any clinical condition where CARBON DIOXIDE removal by the lungs, exceeds its production by body tissue.
Respiratory alkalosis is relatively common in low-grade lung inflammation, such as kennel cough, or any condition that includes hyperventilation.
Greyhounds suffering pre-race stress syndrome may suffer from respiratory alkalosis as a result of excessive barking.
However, body defence mechanisms in the case of respiratory alkalosis are extremely efficient and the condition normally clears quickly without treatment.
Unless of course, the greyhound stresses as a result of a hard race, and quite often greyhounds that suffer pre-race stress syndrome also suffer from Hyperadrenocorticism in which case the RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS may be complicated by METABOLIC ALKALOSIS.
BODY FLUID Ph is normally maintained within narrow limits despite the continuous addition of large quantities of metabolic acids from the various processes within the body, and additions of carbon dioxide from cell function.
Three different types of mechanisms defend against any large changes of the blood Ph.
Chemical Buffers
Buffers are compounds that can absorb or donate HYDROGEN IONS as may be required; these include proteins, phosphates, sodium bicarbonate and haemoglobin.
Shifts in Ions
HYDROGEN IONS may shift into (where they are chemically buffered) or out of the body cells as may be required.
Response by Body Organs
The kidneys can either retain or excrete acids, while the lungs, via increased or lowered breathing, can regulate ACID-BASE BALANCE by either retaining or expelling CARBON DIOXIDE.