Ketoacedosis HELP

[sadieheidi]

I am seeking help to an important question..our family pet dog..our baby...recently passed away ..and I feel it was a result of her recieving [B]Lactated Ringers IV solution...through internet research I found a report that states that Ringers Lactate has the potential to cause hyperglycemia due to the conversion of lactate to glucose via the Cori's cycle...as a result of recieving 3 bags of the solution...our baby went into ketoacedosis...I feel it was a result from the Lactated Ringers that our vet gave her...Is this possible? If anyone can suggest where I can get the answer I require ..Please tell me..thank you

[duck]

You might want to consult another vet. Is there no warnings or indicators on the lactated ringers?

[gettingby]

I'm with Duck. I would definitely consult with another vet to get the answer you need.
I am so sorry for your loss. I'm a pet lover myself (I have a Jack Russell/Fiest mix).

[lgvincent]

I don't have an answer to your question but wanted to say I'd saddened by your loss. I lost my little princess on May 3rd so I have some idea of what you're going through.

[JasonSmithMT]

Sorry to hear about your loss. Was your dog brought to the vet for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?

Lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) is one of the most commonly used fluid replacements and IV medication delivery vehicles in both humans and animals. There is some debate on whether to use LRS in DKA but a good number of physicians and vets actually prefer it to other (normal saline) solutions in such cases. Using LRS for DKA could increase the risk of cerebral edema because it is somewhat hypotonic. From what I have heard, from a human medicine perspective anyways, is that the risk of lactate being metabolized to glucose (Cori's cycle) in the kidney and liver from use of LRS is very slight.

Its hard to know the whole story from what little you present here but my first thought is that unless there is gross patient mismanagement I wouldn't suspect the LRS being detrimental.

Jason

[sadieheidi]

our dog was dehydrated and vomiting...she did not have ketoacedosis..at that time...she got very fidgity..after the start of the Lactate Ringers...mouth got bone dry...sugars went way up...that is whu I feel they triggered the Keto...she was also given anti nausea injections....what would you say...prior to that she recieved subcutaneous fluids...with no reaction...except her appetite improve

[JasonSmithMT]

our dog was dehydrated and vomiting...she did not have ketoacedosis..at that time...she got very fidgity..after the start of the Lactate Ringers...mouth got bone dry...sugars went way up...that is whu I feel they triggered the Keto...she was also given anti nausea injections....what would you say...prior to that she recieved subcutaneous fluids...with no reaction...except her appetite improve

That's a sad story. Is you dog diabetic? The dehydration and vomiting sounds like classic symptoms of DKA. Of course that could be the symptoms for a million other things as well. Do you happen to know what her sugar level was prior to and after the LRS?

Jason

[sadieheidi]

sorry I don't but it went up to 27.5..and the day before her blood sugar was low..according to our vet...it was low...that is why I need to know if the Lactate Ringers...are what caused her levels to Peak..and send her into a coma...and death....would a knowledgable vet know whether or not to give a dog the lactated ringers...would they know if the lactate could be converted to sugar...causing her death??

[JasonJayhawk]

Up to 27.5 -- that's low--I'm assuming you mean mg/dl.

You might find this page more helpful:
http://www.sugarcats.net/sites/harry/bgguide.html

You can test your dog for ketones with blood, or urine strips (urine would be more difficult, I would assume), if you have the right testing supplies.

[JasonSmithMT]

I was assuming that the 27.5 quoted was in mmol/L.

Jason

[SueM]

I'm not sure so don't quote me on this but I believe a dogs BS levels are different than a human's.