Clinical approach to flaccid paralysis secondary to hyperkalaemia in an adult Temminck's pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)

TY - JOUR

T1 - Clinical approach to flaccid paralysis secondary to hyperkalaemia in an adult Temminck's pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)

AU - Bentley, Charlotte E.

AU - Curr-Smith, Victoria

AU - Chimaliro, Laston

AU - Greig, Robert J.

AU - Beddis, Tom

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2026 British Veterinary Association.

PY - 2026/5

Y1 - 2026/5

N2 - An adult male, confiscated Temminck's pangolin (Smutsia temminckii), presented obtunded with ascending flaccid paralysis. Serum biochemistry and urinalysis revealed severe hyperkalaemia (8.1 mmol/L) and azotaemia (blood urea nitrogen 71.8 mmol/L; creatinine 106.1 µmol/L; granular casts, haematuria and proteinuria). Treatment with calcium borogluconate, insulin-dextrose infusion, salbutamol and 0.9% saline with dextrose fluid therapy was initiated. Serum potassium levels were corrected within 24 hours, but fluid therapy proved insufficient to correct the azotaemia. The pangolin was later euthanased due to complications thought to be associated with acute renal failure. Further research is required to establish the prevalence of renal disease and hyperkalaemia in confiscated pangolins.

AB - An adult male, confiscated Temminck's pangolin (Smutsia temminckii), presented obtunded with ascending flaccid paralysis. Serum biochemistry and urinalysis revealed severe hyperkalaemia (8.1 mmol/L) and azotaemia (blood urea nitrogen 71.8 mmol/L; creatinine 106.1 µmol/L; granular casts, haematuria and proteinuria). Treatment with calcium borogluconate, insulin-dextrose infusion, salbutamol and 0.9% saline with dextrose fluid therapy was initiated. Serum potassium levels were corrected within 24 hours, but fluid therapy proved insufficient to correct the azotaemia. The pangolin was later euthanased due to complications thought to be associated with acute renal failure. Further research is required to establish the prevalence of renal disease and hyperkalaemia in confiscated pangolins.

KW - flaccid paralysis

KW - hyperkalaemia

KW - salbutamol

KW - Smutsia temminckii

KW - temminck's pangolin

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105033545032

U2 - 10.1002/vrc2.70422

DO - 10.1002/vrc2.70422

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105033545032

VL - 14

JO - Veterinary Record Case Reports

JF - Veterinary Record Case Reports

IS - 2

M1 - e70422

ER -