Practical acid-base in veterinary patients.

Acid-base abnormalities are common in critically ill veterinary patients. Rapid recognition of disturbances can be helpful in identifying the underlying cause of the patient's clinical signs, directing diagnostics, and monitoring response to therapy. If acid-base disturbances are left unidentified and untreated, severe physiologic consequences can result, including cardiovascular and neurologic dysfunction, protein and enzyme dysfunction, and electrolyte derangements. Treatment of acid-base disorders is aimed at correcting the underlying disease process.