Potassium Deficiency in the Rabbit as a Cause of Muscular Dystrophy

Abstract

The rabbit required at least 0.6% potassium in the diet for maximum growth. With potassium levels of 0.3% or less, death occurred within 6 weeks with characteristic pathology. High sodium supplements to the potassium-deficient diet allowed slightly better growth but did not prevent death and pathology. Blood-cell sodium content increased while urine sodium decreased in potassium deficiency. Potassium-deficient rabbits usually developed a severe and rapidly progressing muscular dystrophy, with a closely associated creatinurea. Death occurred after 4 to 6 weeks. Internal pathology, aside from atrophic and streaked musculature of the limbs, consisted of marked myocardial necrosis and scarring, numerous small gall bladder concretions, multiple hemorrhagic areas in the stomach, swollen and pale kidneys, occasional jaundice, and atonic intestinal tract.