Symptom11 connections · 6 sources
Polydipsia
Polydipsia -- excessive water consumption -- is a critical early warning sign that something is wrong with a pet's internal regulation. It is often one of the first things an owner notices and should always be investigated by a veterinarian.
Key Facts
- Key early warning sign of chronic-kidney-disease (failing kidneys cannot concentrate urine, so the pet must drink more to flush toxins)
- Common in hyperthyroidism (elevated metabolism increases water demand)
- Seen in renal-lymphoma (kidney dysfunction from tumor infiltration)
- Hallmark symptom of diabetes-mellitus (excess glucose dumped via urine requires large water volumes)
- Classic sign of cushings-syndrome in dogs (cortisol impairs kidney water conservation)
- Dogs should drink ~1 cup per 10 lbs body weight per day; consistently more is excessive
- Always warrants veterinary investigation -- never dismiss as "just drinking more"
- Species: dogs and cats
Connections (11)
Related Conditions
Chronic Kidney DiseaseCondition
Excessive water consumption is an early CKD warning sign, also seen in hyperthyroidism.
Cushings SyndromeCondition
Excessive thirst is a hallmark symptom in dogs
Diabetes MellitusCondition
Excess glucose in blood forces kidney to dump sugar via large urine volumes.
HypercalcemiaCondition
Excessive thirst results from calcium-induced kidney dysfunction
HyperthyroidismCondition
Excessive thirst, also an early sign of CKD.
PyometraCondition
Excessive thirst is a classic sign
Renal LymphomaCondition
Excessive water consumption from kidney dysfunction caused by tumor.