Chloride

Chloride (Cl-)

Indications for performing this test: Chloride is one of the electrolytes included in a standard serum biochemistry panel.

A standard serum biochemistry panel will include Na, K, and Cl. These important electrolytes should all be considered together along with any acid base abnormalities and the anion gap. Although an electrolyte pattern is rarely diagnostic, it is useful in the assessment of the severity of body fluid disorders and may be very important in the implementation of fluid therapy. Chloride is the major anion of the extracellular fluid. It is closely related to Na so that changes that affect one often affect the other. There are a few things that may specifically alter chloride without affecting Na.

Interpretation of serum chloride levels:

Hypochloridemia: Chloride ions may be lost or sequestered in cases of metabolic alkalosis. Metabolic alkalosis is most commonly caused by excessive vomiting, abomasal displacement in cattle, or impaction. In abomasal displacement, Cl is trapped in the displaced abomasum and is unavailable for reabsorption into the blood stream further down the gastrointestinal tract.

Hyperchloridemia: Occurs in secretional metabolic acidosis. Secretional metabolic acidosis occurs when bicarbonate rich fluids (such as saliva or intestinal fluids) are lost from the body. The kidneys react by reabsorption of Cl- ions to attempt to maintain electroneutrality.

For more information . . .

Veterinary Laboratory Medicine, Duncan, Prasse, and Mahaffey page 105.

Veterinary Laboratory Medicine, Interpretation & Diagnosis. Meyer & Harvey, pages 241-241.