MYOGLOBINURIC ACUTE RENAL FAILURE IN A DOG

Abstract

Rhabdomyolysis is an uncommon disease process with profound sequelae if it is not identified and treated expediently. Clinical presentation varies, ranging from a nearby asymptomatic illness to fulminate and life threatening disease process with multiorgan system failure. Rhabdomyolysis results in the release of myoglobin, a haem pigment, which through multiple effects can result in nephrotoxicity and ARF (Zagar, 1989 and Better and Steain, 1990). The main mechanism is likely to be intra-luminal obstruction by haem pigment casts and ischemia ( Luscher, 1991) and a direct or iron –mediated proximal tubular injury. Treatment should be directed at reducing the nephro-toxic potential of the released pigments which can be achieved by rehydration, correction of acidosis, maintaining good urine output and establishing a urinary pH of 7.0 by forced alkaline diuresis ( Prabhakar et al., 2000)