Treatment of sodium balance disorders - Water intoxication and salt toxicity

Electrolyte disorders are commonly identified in food animal medicine. Some of these electrolyte disturbances require that the veterinarian be aware o f the potential for causing harm during routine fluid therapy. Hyponatremia (water intoxication) and hypernatremia (salt toxicity) are two such disord ers. both create osmolar disturbances that effect changes in the brain's os molar state. During fluid resuscitation it is possible to cause iatrogenic central nervous system damage in these cases. It is important to recognize those cases where sodium imbalance may complicate routine therapy, understa nd the underlying mechanisms for osmolar changes in the plasma and brain, a nd know the appropriate steps to take for safe correction of the sodium dis turbance.