Serum electrolyte abnormalities in cats with chronic inflammatory enteropathy

Abstract Background Limited information is available on electrolyte abnormalities in cats with chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE). Hypothesis/Objectives Report the prevalence of electrolyte abnormalities in cats with CIE compared to other gastrointestinal disorders, and determine their association with disease and outcome variables in cats with CIE. Animals Three hundred twenty‐eight client‐owned cats from 2 referral hospitals: CIE (132), alimentary small cell lymphoma (29), acute gastroenteritis (48), and healthy controls (119). Methods Retrospective study comparing serum electrolyte concentrations at time of diagnosis among the 4 groups of cats, and associations with clinical signs, intestinal mucosal fibrosis scores, treatment subclassification and outcome in CIE. Results Cats with CIE had lower sodium and higher potassium concentrations and lower sodium: potassium ratios compared with healthy cats (P