Primary hypodipsia in a cat with severe hypernatremia.

CLINICAL SUMMARY: A 4.5-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair cat presented with a 2-month history of muscle tremors progressing to weakness, pelvic limb ataxia, mild facial twitching, poor appetite and polyuria. Primary hypodipsia and resultant hypernatremia was diagnosed. Intensive fluid therapy and monitoring were initially required for stabilization, and the cat's condition was successfully managed long-term using canned food supplemented with additional water.

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: Primary hypodipsia is rare in clinical practice, but experience with this case suggests that associated hypernatremia can be successfully managed using a water-enriched diet to provide maintenance hydration.