Veterinary Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnosis-II

CLINICAL ASPECTS OF ACID BASE DISORDERS

• Acid-base imbalance is abnormal physiological processes due to disorders of Hydrogen Ion Homeostasis Disturbance of the body’s acid base balance results in the plasma containing either too many hydrogen ions (acidemia)or few hydrogen ions (alkalemia).
• Therefore, the pH is too low in acidemia (less than 7.35) whereas in alkalemia the pH is too high (more than 7.45).
• The disturbance may occur due to respiratory causes (ie: changes in PaCO₂) or non-respiratory (metabolic) causes.
• When there is acid base imbalance, the words acidosis or alkalosis may be used in conjunction with the physiological cause of the disturbance as follows
  • Metabolic Acidosis : Respiratory Alkalosis
  • Metabolic Alkalosis : Respiratory Acidosis