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Trauma-induced central diabetes insipidus in a cat
1Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072.
Insights
A cat diagnosed with central diabetes insipidus after trauma experienced resolution of excessive thirst with subcutaneous administration of the synthetic antidiuretic hormone, desmopressin (DDAVP). This treatment remains effective long-term.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is a rare condition characterized by excessive thirst and urination.
- Traumatic brain injury can lead to CDI, but it is infrequently reported in felines.
Observation:
- A 1-year-old domestic shorthair cat presented with a 4-week history of polydipsia following an 8-meter fall.
- Diagnostic workup revealed hyposthenuria, ruling out other causes of polyuria and polydipsia.
Findings:
- Water deprivation testing failed to induce urine concentration, while administration of desmopressin (DDAVP) resulted in hypersthenuria, confirming central diabetes insipidus.
- Conjunctival DDAVP administration was ineffective, but subcutaneous DDAVP successfully resolved polydipsia.
Implications:
- Subcutaneous desmopressin (DDAVP) is an effective long-term treatment for trauma-induced central diabetes insipidus in cats.
- This case highlights the importance of considering central diabetes insipidus in cats with polydipsia following head trauma.
Abstract:
A 1-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat presented with a 4-week history of polydipsia that began immediately after an 8 metre fall. Trauma-induced central diabetes insipidus was suspected on the basis of the identification of hyposthenuria, normal haematology and serum biochemistry profile and unremarkable abdominal ultrasound examination. Failure to concentrate urine with water deprivation followed by production of hypersthenuric urine with administration of the synthetic antidiuretic hormone, Deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP), confirmed the diagnosis of central diabetes insipidus. Treatment via conjunctival administration of DDAVP failed to attenuate the polydipsia, however, resolution of polydipsia was achieved with subcutaneous administration of DDAVP and the cat remains eudipsic with twice daily subcutaneous DDAVP administration 17 months after diagnosis.
