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Published on: June 21, 2013
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in sibling colts
H C Schott1, W M Bayly, S M Reed
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6610.
Insights
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, a kidney disorder causing excessive urination and thirst, was diagnosed in two Thoroughbred colts. This condition resulted from their kidney cells being insensitive to vasopressin.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is a condition characterized by the kidneys' inability to respond to vasopressin.
- This leads to impaired water reabsorption and excessive urination (polyuria) and thirst (polydipsia).
Observation:
- Two related Thoroughbred colts presented with severe polyuria and polydipsia, drinking over 80 liters of water daily.
- Clinical signs suggested a primary renal issue rather than a central cause of diabetes insipidus.
Findings:
- Diagnostic tests, including water deprivation, hypertonic saline infusion, and vasopressin administration, confirmed the colts' collecting duct cells were insensitive to vasopressin.
- Elevated plasma vasopressin levels post-water deprivation in one colt ruled out central diabetes insipidus.
Implications:
- This case highlights NDI as a potential diagnosis in horses exhibiting extreme polyuria and polydipsia.
- Understanding vasopressin resistance in equine NDI can inform diagnostic approaches and management strategies for affected animals.
Abstract:
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus was diagnosed in two full sibling Thoroughbred colts. Each colt had a history of excessive urination. Extreme polydipsia (greater than 80 L per day) was documented in both colts. Inability to concentrate urine in response to water deprivation, infusion of hypertonic saline, or exogenous vasopressin administration indicated insensitivity of the collecting duct epithelial cells to vasopressin. A diagnosis of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus was further supported by a normal increase in plasma vasopressin concentration after water deprivation in the one colt in which such testing was pursued.
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