Sodium Deficiency in Cats

Sodium Deficiency in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What is Sodium Deficiency?

Sodium deficiency can happen slowly over time or it can have a rapid onset. If sodium levels drop quickly, the brain can go into shock. This can cause many neurological problems and can be fatal if not promptly corrected. If sodium levels drop slowly over time, the body adjusts to protect the brain from the change. This deficiency still needs to be treated, but is not a medical emergency.

Sodium is an essential chemical component in the body. It helps maintain water in and around the body’s cells. It is an electrolyte that is essential for life. Sometimes issues occur with the concentration of sodium in the body. When levels are low, the body may not function properly. This condition is called “hyponatremia”. Often the levels are low not because of their absence in food and drink, but because of an underlying condition in the body that is interfering with the dilution of sodium. 

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Average Cost

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Symptoms of Sodium Deficiency in Cats

Because sodium deficiencies often have to do with a larger issue in the body, other symptoms may be paired with the signs specific to low sodium levels. If symptoms occur suddenly, bring your cat to a veterinarian immediately. Symptoms are as follows:

  • Weakness
  • Anorexia
  • Lethargy
  • Confusion
  • Lack of response
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Dyspnea (labored breathing)
  • Head tremors
  • Seizures
  • Coma

Causes of Sodium Deficiency in Cats

A great number of primary issues and diseases can cause the secondary effect of sodium deficiency. Any condition that dilutes the blood or expels fluids has the potential to decrease sodium levels. Some known causes of sodium deficiency include:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Barbiturates
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Antidepressants
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Hypoadrenocorticism
  • Psychogenic polydipsia (a condition in which a cat drinks excessively due to a psychological problem)
  • Gastrointestinal fluid loss
  • IV fluids administered too quickly
  • Kidney failure
  • Severe burns
  • Dysentery
  • Excessive vomiting
  • Peritonitis (a fatal feline virus)
  • Nephrotic syndrome (disease of the kidneys)

Diagnosis of Sodium Deficiency in Cats

Once you have arrived at a veterinary clinic or animal hospital, you will be asked to provide your cat's full medical history. A physical examination will be completed on the cat. The veterinarian will need to know about any symptoms that have had a rapid onset. Blood tests will be needed including a complete blood count and a biochemical profile. Electrolyte levels will be tested. 

The vet may choose to screen for potential hormone deficiencies that are causing the lowered sodium levels. These hormone conditions include hypothyroidism and hypoadrenocorticism. An ultrasound, CT Scan or MRI may be needed to check for the presence of meningitis or tumors on the endocrine glands. Urinalysis may show whether kidney issues exist and can monitor levels of sodium spilling into the urine. 

Treatment of Sodium Deficiency in Cats

Rapidly lowering levels of sodium need to be treated as an emergency. Hospitalization will be required until the cat returns to stability. If sodium levels have lowered over time, a long-term, at-home treatment will be used instead. 

Intravenous Sodium Solution 

Sodium solutions can be administered through an IV to replenish sodium levels. This should be done gradually to prevent further shock. It is a minimally invasive treatment and can be easily performed on small kittens.

Diazepam

If the cat is suffering from damaging seizures or tremors, diazepam may be diagnosed to relieve neurological issues. 

Diet 

In cats with slowly dropping sodium levels, a special diet created by a veterinarian can help the body to build sodium levels. A high protein diet can prove effective for this.

Hormone Supplements 

If the underlying cause of sodium deficiency is a hormonal issue, oral hormonal supplements may be prescribed to correct the hormone deficiency. 

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Recovery of Sodium Deficiency in Cats

After being discharged from the hospital, be sure to monitor your cat for any further neurological abnormalities. You veterinarian will schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor sodium levels after treatment has been administered. If other medications were causing the sodium deficiency, these will have to be terminated or lessened in dosage amount. 

Treatments with hormone supplements often last for the rest of the cat’s life. Daily administration of these supplements is needed. The cat will need regular veterinary appointments to ensure that the hormones are not causing any adverse side effects. Keep your cat on a high quality diet, and abide by any dietary restrictions put in place by your veterinarian. Many cats no longer experience sodium deficiency when proper diet is integrated.

Sodium Deficiency Average Cost

From 325 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,000

Average Cost

$600

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Sodium Deficiency Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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Short tail housecar

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Smokey

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3 Years

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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Thiness, No Fur On Behind Legs
my female cat is 3 years old. I noticed that she is becoming quite thin and has a decrease of fur on her hind area. she also licks anything salty. she dies not eat any food that we eat and only eat dry food for cats. I am worried that ahe may be suffering from salt or any other mineral deficiency. can you please help. Thank you Chris

April 22, 2018

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

1 Recommendations

Salt and mineral deficiencies are very uncommon in healthy cats fed a commercial cat food. If Smokey has lost weight and seems to be having problems with her hair coat, it would be a good idea to have her examined by a veterinarian, as they can see her, determine what might be going on, and recommend any needed testing or treatments that may help her. I hope that she is okay.

April 22, 2018

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Persian

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Bailey

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6 Years

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3 found this helpful

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3 found this helpful

I just received my cats blood work results. He is a bit low in sodium (137). How can I help him reach normal sodium levels? He is also a bit low in MPV (11). I'm trying to understand if they both correlate. I took him to the vet because I found blood in his stool twice. We just moved about a month ago so I thought it was stress at first. He was also tested for Giradia (negative). He is an indoor cat and we adopted him about a year ago.

Oct. 19, 2017

3 Recommendations

The sodium is only marginally low and may be secondary to other condition like kidney issues, Addison’s Disease, infections, heart disease among other conditions; it is important to rule out conditions which may lead to low blood sodium rather than supplementing sodium in the diet. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM

Oct. 19, 2017

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Sodium Deficiency Average Cost

From 325 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,000

Average Cost

$600

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