Ionized calcium and ionized magnesium disturbances in dogs and cats with septic peritonitis

Chiara Debie^1,2*Laure Giberto²Stéphanie Noël²Dominique Paepe¹Kris Gommeren^2*

• ¹Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
• ²Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals and Health Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Liege, Liege, Belgium

Introduction: Hypocalcemia and magnesium disturbances are linked to vasoplegia, cardiac arrhythmias, gastrointestinal ileus, and coagulopathies. In human critical care patients, these imbalances are associated with higher mortality and longer hospital stay. Little is known about such associations in companion animals. Our study assessed the prevalence of ionized calcium (iCa) and ionized magnesium (iMg) disturbances in dogs and cats with septic peritonitis at presentation, and their association with administration of antiarrhythmics, vasopressors, prokinetics, plasma, hospitalization duration and mortality.Methods: Medical records of patients with septic peritonitis from January 2018 to December 2023 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were confirmed septic peritonitis and blood gas analysis with ionized calcium and magnesium values at admission. Data collected included signalment, diagnosis and cause, calcium and magnesium levels, administration of vasopressors, antiarrhythmics, prokinetics, and plasma, length of hospitalization, and survival. Comparisons were made using Chi-square, Fisher exact test, and ANOVA. Correlations were assessed with the Spearman coefficient. iMg derangements and survival in dogs (p = 0.30 and p = 0.38 respectively), nor in cats (p = 0.29 and p = 0.29 respectively). A significant difference was observed in the mean iMg values between survivors (0.49 ± 0.09 mmol/L) and non-survivors (0.55 ± 0.11 mmol/L) in dogs (p = 0.042).In this population with septic peritonitis, about half of dogs and a quarter of cats had ionized hypocalcemia. Hypo-and hypermagnesemia were rare in dogs, while hypermagnesemia was common and hypomagnesemia was not seen in cats. Dogs and cats with hypocalcemia were more likely to receive plasma. Mean iMg values were lower in survived dogs than dogs that didn't survive.