HIGH-SODIUM CRYSTALLOID SOLUTION FOR TREATMENT OF HYPERNATREMIA IN A VIETNAMESE POTBELLIED PIG

An 11-month-old female Vietnamese pot-bellied pig was examined for sev ere dehydration and neurologic signs including disorientation, ataxia, blindness, and involuntary twitching of the muscles of the neck and h ead. Biochemical analyses of serum revealed hypernatremia, hyperchlore mia, hyperkalemia, azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, hyperalbuminemia, and high activities of aspartate transaminase and creatine kinase. A diagn osis of salt toxicosis/water deprivation was made. Medical management consisted of intravenous administration of a high-sodium crystalloid s olution, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other supportive care. Sodium co ncentration of fluids administered intravenously was adjusted to be sl ightly less than the pig's serum sodium concentration so that the seru m sodium concentration was reduced gradually over 48 hours. Resolution of clinical signs was rapid and the pig was discharged after 8 days o f hospitalization. Fourteen days after the initial examination, the pi g appeared healthy except for visual deficits. Historically, prognosis with conventional treatment of salt toxicosis/water deprivation is po or; however, this alternative approach to treating this condition appe ars promising.