Central Diabetes insipidus in a cat

ABSTRACT

Background: Diabetes insipidus is a rare disease in cats with few reports in the scientifi c literature. It has two major forms Central Diabetes Insipidus (CDI); characterized by decreased secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), and Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus (NDI); characterized by decreased ability to concentrate urine because of resistance to ADH. The diagnosis is based on excluding diseases with polydipsia/polyuria, the water deprivation test and response to desmopressin. This case report describes Central Diabetes Insipidus in a domestic cat, as well as its response to desmopressin administered intranasally. Case A 2-year old, male cat of non-defi ned breed and castrated was seen due to a history of polyuria and polydipsia (PU/ PD) that arose after allegedly ingesting thorns that got stuck to its body while going out of the house. Physical examination revealed an active well-fed animal with mild dehydration and persistent paradoxical ischuria. The complementary tests performed abdominal ultrasound, blood test, urinalysis, serum urea, creatinine, glucose, cortisol, total T4, Total T3 and vasopressin, were within the reference values, except for urinary density and T4 that were below the standard. Based on the laboratory results, conditions compatible with PU and PD symptoms were excluded; however, despite normal vasopressin levels, diabetes insipidus was not ruled...(AU)