PERSISTENT HYPERKALEMIA ASSOCIATED WITH NONCHYLOUS PLEURAL EFFUSION IN A DOG

A two-year-old Weimaraner had a large diaphragmatic hernia that was surgically repaired. Pleural effusion, hyperkalemia, and hyponatremia developed postoperatively. Lung lobe torsion was found to be the cause of the effusion and was corrected by a second surgery. Pleural effusion and serum electrolyte abnormalities resolved following the second surgery. While pleural effusion was present, renal potassium excretion was impaired despite an appropriate increase in serum aldosterone. Impaired potassium excretion resolved with resolution of pleural effusion. Serum electrolyte abnormalities associated with pleural effusion were theorized to be caused by antagonism of the renal effects of aldosterone through an unknown mechanism.