Incidence, Severity and Prognosis Associated with Hypernatremia in Dogs and Cats

Overview

Journal J Vet Intern Med

Specialties General Medicine
Veterinary Medicine

Date 2015 May 22

PMID 25996661

Citations 14

Authors

Y Ueda

K Hopper

S E Epstein

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Hypernatremia has been associated with substantial morbidity and death in human patients. The incidence and importance of hypernatremia in dogs and cats has not been determined.

Hypothesis/objectives: To describe the incidence of and prognosis associated with hypernatremia in dogs and cats at a university teaching hospital.

Animals: A total of 16,691 dogs and 4,211 cats with measured blood or serum sodium concentration.

Methods: Retrospective study. Medical records of animals with a blood or serum sodium concentration measured during a 60-month period were reviewed to determine the severity of hypernatremia and its associated case fatality rate. Cases with moderate (11-15 mmol/L above the reference range) or severe hypernatremia (≥16 mmol/L above the reference range) were further reviewed.

Results: A total of 957 dogs (5.7%) and 338 cats (8.0%) were diagnosed with hypernatremia. Case fatality rates of dogs and cats with hypernatremia was 20.6 and 28.1%, respectively compared to 4.4 and 4.5% with a normal blood or serum sodium concentration (P < .0001). The magnitude of hypernatremia was linearly associated with a higher case fatality rate (P < .0001). Hypernatremia was associated with a higher case fatality rate than hyponatremia. Among the animals with moderate or severe hypernatremia, 50% of dogs and 38.5% of cats presented with community-acquired hypernatremia, and 50% of dogs and 61.5% of cats developed hospital-acquired hypernatremia.

Conclusions And Clinical Importance: Hypernatremia was found infrequently in this population but was associated with increased case fatality rates in dogs and cats. Presence and severity of hypernatremia might be useful as a prognostic indicator.

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