Canine Rhabdomyolysis - unexpected death

Re: Canine Rhabdomyolysis - unexpected death

Westvet — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 00:39:15 GMT

We have had a number of suspected nitroxynil poisonings which present as initial panting and hypersalivation followed by severe pyrexia which is very difficult to control. The mortality rate is quite high.

Re: Canine Rhabdomyolysis - unexpected death

Kate Richardson — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:37:28 GMT

[quote user="Tim Cheyne"]So no evidence of haemolytic anaemia despite urine discolouration and strong positive for 'blood'?;[/quote]

That would be myoglobin not haemoglobin being detected.

As for the night service, a lot of practices don't even have a nurse on the premises overnight (not being critical, just its a fact), so dog was lucky to have some care. I would hope the nurse spoke to the vet on call at least for advice and whoever this was was helpful. Our nurses used to dread having to phone certain vets in the middle of the night for advice.....

Re: Canine Rhabdomyolysis - unexpected death

Iain McAllister — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:28:31 GMT

No heamatology was normal

Re: Canine Rhabdomyolysis - unexpected death

Tim Cheyne — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 10:53:17 GMT

[quote user="Iain McAllister"].......and haematology normal[/quote]

So no evidence of haemolytic anaemia despite urine discolouration and strong positive for 'blood'?; just wondering about some form of piroplasmosis or other insect vector-borne condition. Are any seen in the locality?

Tim.

Re: Canine Rhabdomyolysis - unexpected death

Iain McAllister — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:49:32 GMT

Yes I am sure there is more to this - no known access to toxins -- but of course always a possibility No previous episodes of heat stress and was normal temp on admission only became pyrexic when with us - intersting about the hypoK - - more evidence for a multifactorial problem Regarding the care - I am a locum here so have no influence - nurse on all night on premises but of course with access to a vet who can give telephone advice or attend.

Re: Canine Rhabdomyolysis - unexpected death

Nicola Lawlor — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 21:59:30 GMT

I can't answer your question but I wonder if there is more to this than just a rhabdomyolysis? Had the dog had access to any toxins (metaldehdye type of thing, though no idea how long it takes CK to raise...but of course possiblity of repeated access perhaps if a neighbour using it unknown to O?) Had the dog previously had an episode of hyperthermia that caused the CK levels to increase and then other issues took over when presented to you. What I have read up (just now as very curious!) suggests hyperkalaemia more likely than hypo with rhabdomyolysis. Was there a rhabdomyolysis and then something additional like a bee sting that pushed the dog over the edge??

One slight concern I have from your post (but meaning no offence) is that it reads to me like a vet nurse alone was responsible for this dog overnight. Did she get further help with the increasing pyrexia here from a vet? If she didn't/couldn't I would be pretty concerned about the OOH arrangements here. Personally given the already sensible measures taken to reduce the body temperature if these were failing this badly then I would have gone for cold showering and/or cold water immersion of the dog. Not an ideal first line I know given the associated risks, but desperate times and desperate measures...