Intas Polivet 21 (1): 120-121 Short Communication

Diagnosis and Management of Water Intoxication in a Buffalo calf

Neha Rao1, J.J. Parmar and A.I. Shah
Veterinary Clinical Complex
College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry
Anand Agricultural University (AAU)
Anand - 388001 (Gujarat)

Abstract
Water intoxication occurs due to rapid ingestion of large amount of water by young calves results in intravascular
hemolysis, hemoglobinemia and hemoglobinuria. A six-month-old buffalo calf was presented with frequent episodes of
hemoglobinuria within two hours of drinking large amount of water. Clinical examination revealed normal body temperature,
mild tachycardia, pale mucosa and normal appetite. Hematobiochemical estimation revealed reduced hemoglobin
concentration (5.1 gm%), TEC (3.54 million/dl), HCT (19.00%), TLC (6200/dl), MCV (53.8fl), MCHC (26.8 gm%), RDW
(16.4%), Platelets (520000/ cmm), elevated SGPT (98 IU/L), Total Proteins (5.69 gm/dl), Serum Creatinine (0.63 mg/dl),
Serum Calcium (9.59 mg/dl), Serum Phosphorus (4.2 mg/dl), Serum Sodium (130 mEq/L), Serum Chloride (92 mEq/L) and
Blood Glucose (66 mg/dl). Hemoglobin, hematocrit, Serum Sodium and Serum Chloride levels were reduced. The buffalo
calf was successfully treated with Inj. Furosemide@1 mg/kg body weight to promote diuresis. The urine color became
normal within two hours. The owner was advised to add salt in feed and to provide free access to water to calves.
Hematinic were given for controlling anemia.
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Keywords: Calf; hyponatremia; intoxication; management; water

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Introduction examination was found negative for hemoprotozoa

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Water intoxication or acute dilutional hyponatremia and endoparasites respectively. Hemato-

is a condition when rapid ingestion of large amount
of water by young calves with normal sodium
concentration results in intravascular hemolysis,
hemoglobinemia and hemoglobinuria. It is
commonly observed in animals that are subjected
to severe exercise or high environmental
temperature. Naturally occurring cases has been
recorded in sheep, pigs, camels, calves (Gilchrist et
al.,1996) and adult cattle. There is no case report
available on water intoxication in India. Thus, this
paper presents a first reported case of water
intoxication in a buffalo calf.
History and Clinical Observations
A six month old buffalo calf was brought with
complaint of passing red urine. Detailed clinical
history revealed there were frequent episodes of red
urine within two hours of drinking large amount of
water. The calf passed red urine for two hours after
ingestion of large amount of water. On clinical
examination, calf appeared active and alert with
normal body temperature, mild tachycardia, pale
mucosa and normal appetite. There were no
ectoparasites and blood as well as faecal
1. Assistant Professor and Corresponding author.
E-mail: neharao@aau.in
biochemical estimation of blood revealed reduced
hemoglobin concentration (5.1gm%), TEC (3.54
millions/dl), HCT (19.00%), TLC (6200/dl), MCV
(53.8fl), MCHC (26.8 gm%), RDW (16.4%), platelets
(520000/cmm), elevated SGPT (98 IU/L), Total
proteins (5.69 gm/dl), Serum creatinine (0.63 mg/
dl), Serum calcium (9.59 mg/dl), Serum phosphorus
(4.2 mg/dl), Serum sodium (130 mEq/L), Serum
chloride (92 mEq/L), Blood glucose (66 mg/dl).
Hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum sodium and
chloride levels were reduced. On the basis of history,
clinical symptoms and hematobiochemical findings,
the case was diagnosed as water intoxication in
buffalo calf.
Treatment
The buffalo calf was treated with Inj. Furosemide @
1 mg/ kg b. wt. to promote diuresis. The urine colour
became normal within two hours. The owner was
advised to add salt in feed and provide free access
to water to calves. Hematinic were given for anemia.
There was no re-occurrence observed.
Discussion
Water intoxication or acute dilutional hyponatremia
is a condition when rapid ingestion of large amount
of water by young calves with normal sodium

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 Rao et al.

concentration results in intravascular hemolysis,
hemoglobinemia and hemoglobinuria. It is
considered that excessive water ingestion causes
temporary extreme drop in plasma osmotic pressure
in capillary veins of intestinal wall, where
intravascular hemolysis may occur (Shimizu et
al.,1979). In our case, the calf had similar symptoms
with hemoglobinuria. Binev (2010) reported similar
symptoms to present findings. Gilchrist (1996) also
reported the water intoxication in calves and found
almost similar hematobiochemical parameters and
response to treatment which favors the findings and
diagnosis in our case. The water intoxication can be
prevented by providing ad lib drinking water
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throughout day and avoidance of water for few
minutes immediate after exercise or work.
References
Binev, R. (2010). A clinical case of water intoxication in
calves. Journal of Mountain Agriculture on the Balkan
(Bulgaria). 13: 41-58.
Gilchrist, F. (1996). Water intoxication in weaned beef
calves. Can. Vet. J. 37: 490-91.
Shimizu, Y., Naito, Y. and Murakami, D. (1979). The
experimental study on the mechanism of hemolysis on
paroxysmal hemoglobinemia and hemoglobinuria in calves
due to excessive water intake. Nihon Juigaku Zasshi. 41:
583-92.
Received on: 27.09.2019
Accepted on: 02.12.2019

Dr. Ravindran, KVASU honoured with INSA Teachers Award’ 2020

Dr. Reghu Ravindran, Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Parasitology,
College of Veterinary Animal Sciences, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences
University (KVASU), Pookode was honoured with prestigious Indian National
Science Academy (INSA) Teachers Award, 2020.
Indian National Science Academy (INSA) has instituted the INSA Teachers award
to recognize and value excellence, consistency and high level of teaching in
Indian Colleges, Universities and Institutions. The award aims to recognize and
honour teachers who have provided guidance, inspiration and mentored students to take o take up
careers in Science and Technology.
INSA has recognised Dr. Ravindran, a Molecular Veterinary Parasitologist for his inspirational teaching-
mentoring, inculcating scientific curiosity and enabling innovative research at undergraduate level and
revolutionising Veterinary education and research.

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