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Clinical Approach to Polyuria and Polydipsia in Small Animals
Polyuria and polydipsia (PU/PD) are common clinical findings in small animal medicine, serving as hallmarks for a wide variety of metabolic, endocrine, and renal disorders. A structured diagnostic approach is essential to differentiate primary polydipsia from secondary systemic disease and to identify the underlying etiology.
Clinical summary
- Clinical signs
- Increased thirst (polydipsia >100ml/kg/day in dogs, >45ml/kg/day in cats) and increased urination (polyuria >50ml/kg/day).
- Possible causes
- Endocrine (Diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, hyperthyroidism), Renal (Chronic kidney disease, pyelonephritis), Metabolic (Hypercalcemia, hypokalemia), Pharmacological (Glucocorticoids, diuretics), Psychogenic.
- Diagnostic approach
- Minimum database (CBC, biochemistry, UA), urine culture, imaging (abdominal ultrasound), endocrine testing (ACTH stim, LDDST, T4, bile acids), and potentially water deprivation test if indicated.
- Management
- Direct treatment towards the underlying primary systemic disease. Management of dehydration and maintenance of electrolyte balance is crucial during diagnostic phases.
References
- [1]Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G.. Small Animal Internal Medicine (2020)
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