Hypokalemic Myopathy in Cats: Diagnosis and Treatment

Hypokalemic myopathy is the weakness of skeletal muscle characterized by ventroflexion of neck and lethargy. The disease is commonly reported in cats where loss of potassium can be due to numerous etiologies. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperaldosteronism, hyperthyroidism, dietary potassium deficiency, fluid overload, chronic gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting/diarrhea and overuse of potassium wasting diuretics are often associated with onset of hypokalemia. Diagnosis is based on signalment, clinical examination, serum potassium levels, and resolution of clinical signs with supplementation of potassium. This paper briefly describes about hypokalemic myopathy and its management.