Endocrinology AI 2 Flashcards
How long does it typically take for animals with partial CDI or psychogenic polydipsia to become dehydrated during the modified water deprivation test?
1-3 days.
What is the urine SG range for animals with partial CDI after dehydration in the modified water deprivation test?
1.008-1.020.
What is the response to desmopressin therapy for animals with CDI (complete and partial)?
Positive.
What is the urine SG range for animals with primary NDI during the modified water deprivation test?
<1.008 (no change).
What is the urine SG range for animals with psychogenic polydipsia during the modified water deprivation test?
> 1.030.
What should be monitored during the assessment of a clinical response to trial desmopressin therapy?
Water intake.
How long is synthetic desmopressin (DDAVP) administered via the conjunctival sac during the trial therapy?
Several days.
What is the most common presenting sign in animals with sex predisposition?
PU/PD (polyuria/polydipsia)
What are the clinical signs of CDI in animals?
Increased water intake, increased urine volume, weight loss, and excessive drinking
What can excessive water consumption in animals with CDI lead to?
Vomiting and nocturia
What are the clinical signs of CDI in animals with partial CDI?
Less marked clinical signs compared to full CDI
What additional neurological signs can develop in dogs with pituitary or hypothalamic neoplasia?
Neurological signs due to invasion or compression of adjacent tissue
What can cause neurological signs in dogs and cats?
Head trauma or multifocal/widespread inflammatory, infectious, and developmental structural CNS defects
What are the possible endocrine abnormalities associated with lesions affecting the pituitary gland?
Congenital or acquired lesions can cause CDI, pituitary dwarfism, secondary hypothyroidism, secondary hypoadrenocorticism, and decreased GH production
What can indicate the presence of hyperadrenocorticism in dogs with CDI?
Dermatological and metabolic changes associated with hyperadrenocorticism
What syndrome can occur if animals with CDI experience severe water restriction?
Hypertonic dehydration
What are the clinical signs of hypertonic dehydration in animals with CDI?
Anorexia, weakness, disorientation, ataxia, and seizures
Is there a single confirmatory test for CDI in dogs or cats?
No, diagnosis requires thorough exclusion of other causes of PU/PD
What are the remaining differential diagnoses if PU/PD cannot be attributed to any other cause?
CDI, primary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, and primary polydipsia
When can a modified water deprivation test or desmopressin trial be performed to distinguish between CDI and other conditions?
Only after thorough exclusion of other causes of PU/PD
What abnormalities may be observed in routine clinicopathological findings of dogs or cats with CDI?
No significant abnormalities, provided water is not restricted
What can cause reduced serum urea concentrations in dogs or cats with CDI?
Renal medullary solute washout and loss of ADH-dependent urea reabsorption
What abnormalities may be observed if water is restricted in animals with CDI?
Elevated haematocrit, hyperproteinaemia, hypernatraemia, and prerenal azotaemia
What can cause severe hypernatraemia and serum hyperosmolality in CDI?
Hypertonic dehydration
How can serum osmolality be measured in dogs and cats?
Direct measurement or calculated using a formula based on Na, K, urea, and glucose concentrations
How does ADH conserve water?
By increasing the permeability of the distal renal tubule and collecting duct to water
What other activities does ADH have?
Intestinal contractility, platelet aggregation, von Willebrand factor release, and hepatic glycogenolysis
What is the primary cause of polyuria?
Inability of the kidney to concentrate urine
What is Central Diabetes Insipidus (DI)?
A lack of production or release of ADH from the pituitary gland
What is Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus (DI)?
Lack of renal tubular sensitivity to ADH
What are some causes of secondary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus?
Hypercalcaemia, hyperadrenocorticism, renal failure, hyperthyroidism, hypokalaemia, pyometra, toxaemia, and pyelonephritis
Why can PU/PD improve with a trial of exogenous ADH (DDAVP)?
The supra-physiological dose can temporarily overcome the problems caused by the underlying disease
What should be ruled out before water deprivation tests and DDAVP trials?
Other causes of secondary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
What is the systematic approach to the PU/PD patient?
- Full history, 2. Full clinical examination, 3. Confirm PU/PD and isosthenuria/hyposthenuria, 4. Urinalysis, 5. Routine blood tests, 6. Investigate underlying endocrine disease, 7. Diagnostic imaging, 8. Trial of broad spectrum antibiotics if no obvious abnormalities found
What lab tests should be conducted in PU/PD cases?
Cystocentesis sample urinalysis, routine haematology/serum biochemistry/electrolytes, possible endocrine disease tests
What further steps can be taken if no obvious abnormalities are found?
Consider CNS imaging, water deprivation test, trial of DDAVP, measurement of serum and urine osmolality, or investigating other clinical signs
What does PU/PD stand for?
Polyuria/Polydipsia
What can result from depriving a dog of water without ruling out certain diseases?
Serious renal damage
What is the mechanism behind many causes of PU/PD?
Secondary NDI
What does excess calcium interfere with in hypercalcaemia?
ADH activity
Which hormone is affected by cortisol in hyperadrenocorticism?
ADH
In which conditions are the effects of ADH disrupted?
Renal failure, hyperthyroidism, hypokalaemia, pyometra, toxaemia, and pyelonephritis
What can cause confusion and misdiagnosis of CDI in animals with PU/PD?
Improvement with a trial of desmopressin
What should water deprivation tests and desmopressin trials be reserved for?
Dogs who have had other causes of secondary NDI ruled out
What is the rare disorder characterized by the inability of renal tubular cells to respond to ADH?
Primary NDI
What causes primary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in humans?
Mutations of the V2 receptor or aquaporin-2
Which breed of dog is associated with a 10-fold reduction in the responsiveness of renal tubular cells to vasopressin?
Siberian Huskies
Why are clinical signs reported only in male dogs with congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus?
Suspected gene mutation on the X chromosome
How is primary NDI diagnosed?
Exclude all other causes of PU/PD and failure to concentrate urine after dehydration
What does chlorpropamide do in the treatment of primary NDI?
Increases responsiveness of renal tubular principal cells to ADH
What is a potential adverse effect of chlorpropamide?
Hypoglycemia
Why are thiazide diuretics occasionally used in the management of human CDI?
To decrease water loss by reducing urine output
What effect do thiazide diuretics have in dogs with primary NDI?
Variable antidiuretic effect
What is the recommended dose of hydrochlorothiazide for dogs and cats?
2.5-5.0 mg/kg orally q12h
What might cause low urea besides liver disease?
Renal washout effect
In diabetes insipidus, what is often increased due to the body’s inability to retain water?
Serum osmolality or sodium
What occurs in psychogenic polydipsia?
Dog is overhydrated and may have decreased serum osmolality or hyponatraemia
What is the urine specific gravity in diabetes insipidus compared to glomerular filtrate?
Always below, i.e. <1.008-1.010
When should a water deprivation test be performed?
When other diseases have been ruled out
What are the two methods for performing a water deprivation test?
Abruptly stopping water or gradual reduction in water intake +/- salt supplementation
What hormone is involved in the control of urinary concentration?
Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH or arginine vasopressin)
What does ADH do to conserve water?
Increases the permeability of distal renal tubule and collecting duct to water
Name some actions of ADH.
Intestinal contractility, platelet aggregation, von Willebrand factor release, hepatic glycogenolysis
What can cause polyuria/polydipsia (PU/PD) if disrupted?
Presence of an adequate concentrating gradient of sodium and urea in renal cortex
What is the most common cause of central diabetes insipidus (CDI) in dogs?
Neoplasia
What is the most common cause of trauma-induced CDI in cats?
Trauma
What are some recognised causes of CDI in dogs?
Neoplasia, craniopharyngioma, chromophobe adenoma or adenocarcinoma, metastatic neoplasia, idiopathic, trauma, surgery, developmental structural defects, infection, inflammation, cyst
What are the clinical signs of CDI?
Polyuria/polydipsia (PU/PD)
What is the formula for calculating serum osmolality?
Serum osmolality = 2 (Na + K) + urea + glucose.
What values are considered normal for osmolality in healthy dogs?
Approximately 290-310 mOsm/kg.
What values are considered normal for osmolality in healthy cats?
Approximately 290-330 mOsm/kg.
In hypertonic dehydration, what is the largest contributor to hyperosmolality?
Sodium.
When is the calculation of osmolality not necessary in markedly hypernatraemic animals?
In an emergency setting.
What specific gravity (SG) values are consistent with polyuria/polydipsia (PU/PD) in dogs and cats?
<1.030 in dogs and <1.035 in cats.
What urine specific gravity (SG) values are typically found in animals with complete central diabetes insipidus (CDI)?
Severe hyposthenuria (SG 1.000-1.006).
What are the additional differentials for animals with marked hyposthenuria?
Hyperadrenocorticism in dogs, hyperthyroidism in cats, liver disease, hypercalcaemia, primary polydipsia, and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.
What diagnostic test should always be performed as part of the investigation of PU/PD?
Bacteriological culture of urine.
What percentage of dogs with CDI have urinary tract infections at presentation?
Approximately 25%.
What is the indication for the water deprivation test?
To distinguish between CDI, primary NDI, and psychogenic polydipsia.
What should be considered before performing the water deprivation test?
All other causes of PU/PD should be ruled out.
In which patients is the water deprivation test contraindicated?
Azotaemic and/or dehydrated patients and those with known renal disease.
What is the first step of a modified water deprivation test?
Gradual water restriction over three days to re-establish the renal medullary concentration gradient.
What is stage two of the water deprivation test?
Complete water deprivation.
What is performed in stage three of the water deprivation test?
Administration of ADH (if necessary).
What should be done during the period of gradual water restriction in a modified water deprivation test?
Owners should feed dry food and monitor the animal’s body weight on a daily basis.
What is the main purpose of the modified water deprivation test?
To overcome the problem of renal medullary washout and unreliable urine concentrating ability.
What are the major effects of oxytocin?
On smooth muscle cells, especially mammary glands and uterus.
What are the major effects of ADH?
On renal tubular cells and collecting ducts, and to increase blood pressure.
How is the release of ADH controlled?
Via osmoreceptors, water intake receptors, stretch receptors, and baroreceptors in the hypothalamus.
How is growth hormone (GH) secretion regulated?
By the opposing actions of GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin.
What are the rapid catabolic actions of GH?
Insulin antagonism resulting in enhanced lipolysis, gluconeogenesis, and restricted glucose transport.
What are the slow anabolic effects of GH?
Mediated via insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), promoting protein synthesis, chondrogenesis, and growth.
What is hypopituitarism?
A deficiency of one or more hormones from the pituitary gland, resulting in lack of stimulation of the respective endocrine glands.
What is pituitary dwarfism?
Congenital growth hormone deficiency, usually seen in German Shepherd dogs with combined deficiency of GH, TSH, and prolactin.
What causes pituitary dwarfism in German Shepherd dogs?
An underlying genetic defect, rather than pressure atrophy or cyst formation in the pituitary gland.
What is the mutation associated with pituitary dwarfism in German Shepherd dogs?
A mutation of the gene encoding the transcription factor LHX3.
What are the three possible causes of PU/PD after ruling out other causes?
CDI, primary NDI, and psychogenic polydipsia.
What are the two conditions that dogs with psychogenic polydipsia and primary NDI fail to respond to?
Complete and partial CDI.
What test allows differentiation of CDI and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus?
Measurement of plasma ADH concentration.
What hormone is very sensitive to proteolysis and requires immediate chilling, separation, and freezing of samples?
ADH.
What can MRI or CT imaging identify in relation to PU/PD?
Developmental or acquired structural lesions within the hypothalamus or pituitary.
What is the most widely used treatment for CDI in dogs and cats?
Desmopressin (DDAVP).
How is desmopressin administered in cats?
Conjunctival treatment or orally.
What is the recommended initial dose of desmopressin for oral therapy?
0.1 mg once to twice daily.
Which route of desmopressin administration is ineffective in some animals?
Gastrointestinal tract.
What medications are occasionally prescribed for the control of CDI in humans and some canine cases?
Thiazide diuretics and chlorpropamide.
How can dietary modification be used to treat CDI?
To decrease water loss associated with sodium and protein excretion.
What are the clinical signs of pituitary dwarfs in German Shepherd dogs?
Growth retardation, abnormal hair coat, truncal alopecia, hyperpigmented and scaly skin, cryptorchidism in males, persistent oestrus in females.
What are the differential diagnoses for pituitary dwarfism?
Congenital hypothyroidism, iatrogenic hypercorticism, hypoadrenocorticism, malnutrition, gastrointestinal disorders, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, portosystemic shunting, congenital renal disease, and skeletal disorders.
What laboratory findings are commonly seen in pituitary dwarfs?
Elevations in creatinine, low circulating thyroxine concentration, low plasma IGF-1 concentration.