Case Report: Hypodipsic hypernatremia secondary to hydrocephalus in a dog

A 6-year-old male castrated golden retriever was presented for inappetence, lethargy, and progressive obtundation. A chemistry panel showed hypernatremia (>190 mmol/L) and hyperchloremia (157 mmol/L). Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed severe congenital hydrocephalus with compressi...

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Main Authors: Maddisen W. Antes, Amelia C. Corona, Helena Rylander
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Veterinary Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1579965/full
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author Maddisen W. Antes
Amelia C. Corona
Helena Rylander
author_facet Maddisen W. Antes
Amelia C. Corona
Helena Rylander
author_sort Maddisen W. Antes
collection DOAJ
description A 6-year-old male castrated golden retriever was presented for inappetence, lethargy, and progressive obtundation. A chemistry panel showed hypernatremia (>190 mmol/L) and hyperchloremia (157 mmol/L). Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed severe congenital hydrocephalus with compression of major brain structures, including marked thinning of gray and white matter of the prosencephalon. Results of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis were within the reference range. A hypodipsic hypernatremia was suspected secondary to dysregulation of the osmoreceptors controlling the thirst center due to progression of hydrocephalus. The dog was treated with intravenous (IV) fluids to slowly reduce the hypernatremia over several days. Mental status improved with normalization of the blood sodium level. Increased stress due to a long car ride and a change in routine may have been the catalyst for the hypodipsia. Hypodipsic hypernatremia is a rare complication of hydrocephalus and should be on the differential list when a sudden change in mentation occurs in dogs with hydrocephalus.
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spelling doaj-art-95d71646344b48ff8288fab8d8b863dc2025-08-20T03:49:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-05-011210.3389/fvets.2025.15799651579965Case Report: Hypodipsic hypernatremia secondary to hydrocephalus in a dogMaddisen W. AntesAmelia C. CoronaHelena RylanderA 6-year-old male castrated golden retriever was presented for inappetence, lethargy, and progressive obtundation. A chemistry panel showed hypernatremia (>190 mmol/L) and hyperchloremia (157 mmol/L). Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed severe congenital hydrocephalus with compression of major brain structures, including marked thinning of gray and white matter of the prosencephalon. Results of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis were within the reference range. A hypodipsic hypernatremia was suspected secondary to dysregulation of the osmoreceptors controlling the thirst center due to progression of hydrocephalus. The dog was treated with intravenous (IV) fluids to slowly reduce the hypernatremia over several days. Mental status improved with normalization of the blood sodium level. Increased stress due to a long car ride and a change in routine may have been the catalyst for the hypodipsia. Hypodipsic hypernatremia is a rare complication of hydrocephalus and should be on the differential list when a sudden change in mentation occurs in dogs with hydrocephalus.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1579965/fullhypernatremiahypodipsiahydrocephalusmentationdog
spellingShingle Maddisen W. Antes
Amelia C. Corona
Helena Rylander
Case Report: Hypodipsic hypernatremia secondary to hydrocephalus in a dog
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
hypernatremia
hypodipsia
hydrocephalus
mentation
dog
title Case Report: Hypodipsic hypernatremia secondary to hydrocephalus in a dog
title_full Case Report: Hypodipsic hypernatremia secondary to hydrocephalus in a dog
title_fullStr Case Report: Hypodipsic hypernatremia secondary to hydrocephalus in a dog
title_full_unstemmed Case Report: Hypodipsic hypernatremia secondary to hydrocephalus in a dog
title_short Case Report: Hypodipsic hypernatremia secondary to hydrocephalus in a dog
title_sort case report hypodipsic hypernatremia secondary to hydrocephalus in a dog
topic hypernatremia
hypodipsia
hydrocephalus
mentation
dog
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1579965/full
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