Adrenal insufficiency in dogs with normal serum Na and Cl.

Abstract

SummaryA group of 5 adrenalectomized dogs of a large series studied, developed typical signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency in the absence of noteworthy alterations in the serum Na and CI values. Hypoglycemia was not present in any of the animals but during insufficiency dehydration and hemoconcentration were evident in 3 of them as indicated by marked increases in hemoglobin. In view of the inspissation of the blood in these dogs it seemed probable that sufficient water was not available for elimination of the electrolytes. This is the interpretation originally given by Nicholson and Soffer(4) to account for the death of their salt-injected dogs. However, a comparison of the hemoglobin concentrations of 8 adrenalectomized dogs exhibiting insufficiency with hyponatriemia (avg. 128 mEq/1) with the hemoglobin increases shown by the 5 animals discussed here, reveals that the hemoconcentration as gauged by hemoglobin changes was not more severe in the latter group. It is unfortunate that plasma volume ...