THE EFFECTS OF ADRENALECTOMY UPON THE WATER EXCHANGE OF CATS WITH DIABETES INSIPIDUS

Abstract

Adrenalectomy in cats with diabetes insipidus produces a rapid decline in fluid exchange. The fluid intake falls more than the urine output and a negative water balance is set up. Extracts of adrenal cortex maintain the water exchange at approx. normal levels when given in sufficient quantities. The fall in urine output is due largely to the suppression of fluid intake. The sp. gr. of the urine does not ordinarily reach normal levels even in terminal stages and the urine vol. even on the day of death may exceed normal. The total loss of fluid is not greater than in ordinary adrenalectomized cats and is not in itself sufficient to cause death; withholding fluid from otherwise normal diabetes insipidus cats causes a greater total loss of water without fatality. However, death may be caused by the combination of such loss of fluid with the withdrawal of water into the cells as found by other workers. Concurrence of diabetes insipidus with adrenal insufficiency reduces the survival time of the animal.