Severe Gastrointestinal Disease in a Dog Presenting With Hypoadrenocorticism‐Like Electrolyte Derangements Due to Protothecosis
Rachel G. Angles, Courtney M. Peck, Pamela Mouser, Patty Ewing, Daniela AckleyABSTRACT
Objective
To describe systemic protothecosis as a novel differential for hypoadrenocorticism‐like clinicopathologic findings.
Case Summary
A 3‐year‐old neutered female Labrador Retriever was evaluated for an episode of acute lethargy, hyporexia, and ataxia. The dog had a prior history of chronic gastrointestinal signs with no underlying cause determined. On presentation, the dog had several clinicopathologic changes similar to those seen in cases of hypoadrenocorticism, most notably a severe hyperkalemia and hyponatremia, with a sodium‐to‐potassium ratio of <14:1. A diagnosis of Prototheca bovis infection was made based on the histopathology of endoscopic biopsies and confirmatory polymerase chain reaction. The dog initially had a positive response to treatment with oral antifungals but was later euthanized due to the progression of ophthalmologic and neurologic signs.
New or Unique Information Provided
Based on a literature search and to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time canine protothecosis has been associated with severe hyperkalemia and one of only a few reports of gastrointestinal disease resulting in severe hyperkalemia.