Transient Extreme Axis Deviation in a Dog With Diabetic Ketoacidosis

ABSTRACT A 7‐year‐old intact female mixed‐breed dog weighing 15 kg with a 4‐week history of polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, and weight loss was presented for severe anorexia and lethargy. Physical examination revealed severe dehydration, with a heart rate of 120 beats/min, respiratory rate of 24 b...

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Main Authors: Youngjae Yoo, Dohee Lee, Yeon Chae, Taesik Yun, Byeong‐Teck Kang, Hakhyun Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-07-01
Series:Veterinary Medicine and Science
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70477
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author Youngjae Yoo
Dohee Lee
Yeon Chae
Taesik Yun
Byeong‐Teck Kang
Hakhyun Kim
author_facet Youngjae Yoo
Dohee Lee
Yeon Chae
Taesik Yun
Byeong‐Teck Kang
Hakhyun Kim
author_sort Youngjae Yoo
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT A 7‐year‐old intact female mixed‐breed dog weighing 15 kg with a 4‐week history of polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, and weight loss was presented for severe anorexia and lethargy. Physical examination revealed severe dehydration, with a heart rate of 120 beats/min, respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min, and rectal temperature of 37.5°C. Clinical assessment and laboratory tests confirmed diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) characterised by severe hyperglycaemia, ketonemia, and metabolic acidosis with an increased anion gap. Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings were significant, showing regular sinus rhythm, negative QRS complexes in multiple leads, and an unusually shifted mean electrical axis at –101°, indicative of extreme axis deviation (EAD). This rare finding highlights the need to evaluate EAD as a potential complication in dogs with DKA, particularly among those presenting with severe metabolic disturbance. Serum cardiac troponin I levels were elevated (0.5 ng/mL; reference interval: 0.03–0.07 ng/mL). Emergency echocardiography revealed no abnormalities. Intravenous fluid therapy and a precisely calibrated continuous rate infusion of insulin were initiated, with treatment dynamically adjusted based on continuous blood glucose monitoring and the dog's response. After the resolution of DKA, the ECG returned to a normal cardiac axis and T wave amplitudes, indicating the reversibility of the myocardial and ECG abnormalities. The serum cardiac troponin I level also normalised, confirming the resolution of myocardial injury. This case report describes the first documented instance of EAD associated with DKA in a dog, as well as its potential reversibility, thereby emphasising the necessity for assessing this rare electrocardiographic abnormality in dogs with life‐threatening DKA.
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spelling doaj-art-9d0015dee1f7445cb262f7d229db9e1c2025-08-20T02:50:09ZengWileyVeterinary Medicine and Science2053-10952025-07-01114n/an/a10.1002/vms3.70477Transient Extreme Axis Deviation in a Dog With Diabetic KetoacidosisYoungjae Yoo0Dohee Lee1Yeon Chae2Taesik Yun3Byeong‐Teck Kang4Hakhyun Kim5Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine Chungbuk National University Cheongju Chungbuk South KoreaLaboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine Chungbuk National University Cheongju Chungbuk South KoreaLaboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine Chungbuk National University Cheongju Chungbuk South KoreaLaboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine Chungbuk National University Cheongju Chungbuk South KoreaLaboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine Chungbuk National University Cheongju Chungbuk South KoreaLaboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine Chungbuk National University Cheongju Chungbuk South KoreaABSTRACT A 7‐year‐old intact female mixed‐breed dog weighing 15 kg with a 4‐week history of polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, and weight loss was presented for severe anorexia and lethargy. Physical examination revealed severe dehydration, with a heart rate of 120 beats/min, respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min, and rectal temperature of 37.5°C. Clinical assessment and laboratory tests confirmed diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) characterised by severe hyperglycaemia, ketonemia, and metabolic acidosis with an increased anion gap. Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings were significant, showing regular sinus rhythm, negative QRS complexes in multiple leads, and an unusually shifted mean electrical axis at –101°, indicative of extreme axis deviation (EAD). This rare finding highlights the need to evaluate EAD as a potential complication in dogs with DKA, particularly among those presenting with severe metabolic disturbance. Serum cardiac troponin I levels were elevated (0.5 ng/mL; reference interval: 0.03–0.07 ng/mL). Emergency echocardiography revealed no abnormalities. Intravenous fluid therapy and a precisely calibrated continuous rate infusion of insulin were initiated, with treatment dynamically adjusted based on continuous blood glucose monitoring and the dog's response. After the resolution of DKA, the ECG returned to a normal cardiac axis and T wave amplitudes, indicating the reversibility of the myocardial and ECG abnormalities. The serum cardiac troponin I level also normalised, confirming the resolution of myocardial injury. This case report describes the first documented instance of EAD associated with DKA in a dog, as well as its potential reversibility, thereby emphasising the necessity for assessing this rare electrocardiographic abnormality in dogs with life‐threatening DKA.https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70477Cardiac troponin Idiabetic ketoacidosisdogelectrocardiogrammyocardial injury
spellingShingle Youngjae Yoo
Dohee Lee
Yeon Chae
Taesik Yun
Byeong‐Teck Kang
Hakhyun Kim
Transient Extreme Axis Deviation in a Dog With Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Veterinary Medicine and Science
Cardiac troponin I
diabetic ketoacidosis
dog
electrocardiogram
myocardial injury
title Transient Extreme Axis Deviation in a Dog With Diabetic Ketoacidosis
title_full Transient Extreme Axis Deviation in a Dog With Diabetic Ketoacidosis
title_fullStr Transient Extreme Axis Deviation in a Dog With Diabetic Ketoacidosis
title_full_unstemmed Transient Extreme Axis Deviation in a Dog With Diabetic Ketoacidosis
title_short Transient Extreme Axis Deviation in a Dog With Diabetic Ketoacidosis
title_sort transient extreme axis deviation in a dog with diabetic ketoacidosis
topic Cardiac troponin I
diabetic ketoacidosis
dog
electrocardiogram
myocardial injury
url https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70477
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