Listen "Should You Really Use N-Acetylcysteine and Vitamin K in Every Liver Failure Case?"
Episode Synopsis
Welcome to The VetEmCrit Podcast — where we break down complex veterinary emergency and critical care topics into clear, evidence-based insights you can use right away in practice. Each episode of the VetEmCrit Podcast is the audio version of our YouTube videos, created so you can learn emergency and critical care on the go. If you’re new here, I’m Dr. Igor Yankin, DACVECC, a small animal emergency and critical care specialist and founder of vetemcrit.com.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and vitamin K are often part of our go-to protocol when treating dogs and cats with acute liver failure. But… should they be? In this VetEmCrit podcast episode, we dive deep into their use—what’s evidence-based, what’s extrapolated, and where controversy still lingers.
You’ll learn:
Why NAC is more than just an acetaminophen antidote
What human trials and 2023 guidelines say about NAC in non-acetaminophen ALF
How human and veterinary NAC dosing protocols compare—and where we may be underdosing cats - When vitamin K helps… and when it’s unlikely to make a difference...
Clinical takeaways for emergency vets—based on science, not just habit
Whether you're treating a dog with xylitol toxicity, a cat with hepatic lipidosis, or a case of unknown origin, this video will help sharpen your approach to acute liver failure management.
Free resources to help you level up:
Youtube channel
Free Acid-Base Analysis Workshop
Free veterinary emergency tools, protocols, and articles
Online courses on acid-base and electrolyte disorders
Free RACE-approved CE on IV potassium supplementation
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