Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with no thirst and high blood sodium from brain inflammation
By Mackay, B M & Curtis, N·Published in Australian veterinary journal·1999·School of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Adipsia and hypernatraemia in a dog with focal hypothalamic granulomatous meningoencephalitis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old Doberman was brought to the vet after showing signs of confusion, aimless wandering, and aggression over the past month. Upon examination, the dog was lethargic and had high sodium levels in the blood, which were treated with fluids. However, the dog continued to show unusual behaviors like pacing and head pressing. A brain scan revealed inflammation in a specific area of the brain, and tests of the spinal fluid indicated further issues. Sadly, due to the severe brain condition and poor prognosis, the dog was euthanized.
People also search for: dog confusion and aggression · Doberman neurological disease · high sodium levels in dogs · dog pacing and head pressing · dog brain inflammation treatment
Abstract
A 7-year-old Doberman was presented with a history of progressive neurological disease of 4 weeks duration. Initially there were episodes of aimless wandering and uncharacteristic aggression, however, the dog was obtunded at presentation. Serum biochemical analysis revealed profound hypernatraemia and moderate hyperproteinaemia. Despite correction of the hypernatraemia by the infusion of hypotonic fluids, the dog continued to periodically exhibit pacing and head pressing. A patchy, ill-defined contrast-enhancing area was evident in the ventral midbrain on computed tomography of the brain. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid revealed a mild increase in protein concentration, positive Pandy's test and mild pleocytosis. Because of the poor prognosis, euthanasia and necropsy were performed. Histopathological analysis of the brain revealed a severe focal meningoencephalitis affecting hypothalamic nuclei and mammillothalamic tracts. Destruction of osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus responsible for recognition of thirst is believed to have resulted in adipsia and subsequent hypernatraemia.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10028385/