Changes

==Roles in the Body==

==Roles in the Body==

Water maintains circulating volume; contributes to thermoregulation by evaporation; is necessary for elimination of waste products through the renal tubules; aids in digestion through secretions of body fluids within the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. saliva, bile fluid, pancreatic fluid), allows for interaction of food constituents and enzymes; forms an aqueous environment for metabolic processes and chemical reactions (e.g. hydrolysis); and is a major component of other body fluids such as joint fluid and [[Cerebral Spinal Fluid - Anatomy & Physiology|cerebrospinal fluid]]<ref name="Case"/>. Increased water intake can also be used as a preventative or therapeutic treatment for cats and dog with [[Cystitis|lower urinary tract disease]].

Water maintains circulating volume; contributes to thermoregulation by evaporation; is necessary for elimination of waste products through the renal tubules; aids in digestion through secretions of body fluids within the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. saliva, bile fluid, pancreatic fluid), allows for interaction of food constituents and enzymes; forms an aqueous environment for metabolic processes and chemical reactions (e.g. hydrolysis); and is a major component of other body fluids such as joint fluid and [[Cerebral Spinal Fluid - Anatomy & Physiology|cerebrospinal fluid]]<ref name="Case"/>. Increased water intake can also be used as a preventative or therapeutic treatment for cats and dog with [[:Category:Lower Urinary Tract - Pathology|lower urinary tract disease]].

==Consequence of Water Deficiency (Dehydration)==

==Consequence of Water Deficiency (Dehydration)==

Recognised syndromes influenced by subclinical dehydration in cats include:  

Recognised syndromes influenced by subclinical dehydration in cats include:  

#'''Crystalluria and [[Urolithiasis]]''': Chronic mild dehydration results in more concentrated urine production. Increased urine concentration with excess intake of crystal precursors may lead to an increased risk of crystalluria and subsequent urolithiasis. Crystals commonly encountered include [[Urolithiasis#Struvite|struvite]], but [[Urolithiasis#Calcium oxalate|calcium oxalate]] and [[Urolithiasis#Urate|urate]] crystals can also be seen in otherwise healthy adult cats.  

#'''Crystalluria and [[Urolithiasis]]''': Chronic mild dehydration results in more concentrated urine production. Increased urine concentration with excess intake of crystal precursors may lead to an increased risk of crystalluria and subsequent urolithiasis. Crystals commonly encountered include [[Urolithiasis#Struvite|struvite]], but [[Urolithiasis#Calcium oxalate|calcium oxalate]] and [[Urolithiasis#Urate|urate]] crystals can also be seen in otherwise healthy adult cats.  

#'''[[Cystitis|Feline urologic syndrome (FUS)]]''': Also called feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is believed to be highly influenced by the concentration of urine. High urine concentrations can exacerbate clinical signs of FUS. Increased risk of FUS has been associated with eating dry diets<ref name="Buffington">Buffington CA, et al. Clinical evaluation of cats with non-obstructive urinary tract disease. JAVMA 1997;210(1):46-50.</ref>. Therefore, feeding higher moisture diets (e.g., wet foods) is often recommended to reduce the risk of FUS and improve clinical signs of [[Category:Lower Urinary Tract - Anatomy & Physiology|lower urinary tract]] health in cats<ref name="Markwell">Markwell PJ, et al. Clinical evaluation of commercially available urinary acidifying diets in the management of idiopathic cystitis. JAVMA 1999;214(3):361-365.</ref>.

#'''[[Cystitis|Feline urologic syndrome (FUS)]]''': Also called feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is believed to be highly influenced by the concentration of urine. High urine concentrations can exacerbate clinical signs of FUS. Increased risk of FUS has been associated with eating dry diets<ref name="Buffington">Buffington CA, et al. Clinical evaluation of cats with non-obstructive urinary tract disease. JAVMA 1997;210(1):46-50.</ref>. Therefore, feeding higher moisture diets (e.g. wet foods) is often recommended to reduce the risk of FUS and improve clinical signs of [[:Category:Lower Urinary Tract - Anatomy & Physiology|lower urinary tract]] health in cats<ref name="Markwell">Markwell PJ, et al. Clinical evaluation of commercially available urinary acidifying diets in the management of idiopathic cystitis. JAVMA 1999;214(3):361-365.</ref>.

==Toxicity==

==Toxicity==

Water toxicity is rare in dogs and cats. Water intake in excess of need is excreted as free water through the renal tubules. Over-consumption can be induced in animals that are offered water ad libitum following prolonged [[dehydration]], exercise, or prolonged heat exposure<ref name="NRC"/>. Clinical sings of water toxicity include seizures, ataxia, and coma.

Water toxicity is rare in dogs and cats. Water intake in excess of need is excreted as free water through the renal tubules. Over-consumption can be induced in animals that are offered water ad libitum following prolonged [[dehydration]], exercise, or prolonged heat exposure<ref name="NRC"/>. Clinical sings of water toxicity include [[seizures]], ataxia, and coma.

==Sources of Water==

==Sources of Water==

#'''Dietary moisture''' content can range from 7% as fed in a dry commercial diet to greater than 80% as fed in a wet diet.  

#'''Dietary moisture''' content can range from 7% as fed in a dry commercial diet to greater than 80% as fed in a wet diet.  

#'''Voluntary intake (drinking)''' is influenced by ambient temperature, the diet type and amount fed, exercise demands, physiologic state, and health status.  

#'''Voluntary intake (drinking)''' is influenced by ambient temperature, the diet type and amount fed, exercise demands, physiologic state, and health status.  

#'''Metabolic water production''' occurs during oxidation of energy containing [[Nutrition Glossary#Macronutrient|macronutrients]] (i.e. protein, fat, and carbohydrates) and constitutes the smallest contribution to the total water intake (10-15%) of an animal<ref name="Anderson"/>. The volume of metabolic water produced will also vary with the macronutrient composition of the food; fat oxidation produces the largest water volume (107 ml/100 g), compared to protein (55 ml/100 g) and carbohydrates (41 ml/100 g)<ref name="Case"/>.

#'''Metabolic water production''' occurs during oxidation of energy containing [[Nutrition Glossary#Macronutrient|macronutrients]] (i.e. protein, fat, and carbohydrates) and constitutes the smallest contribution to the total water intake (10-15%) of an animal<ref name="Anderson"/>. The volume of metabolic water produced will also vary with the macronutrient composition of the food; [[Fat Overview - Nutrition|fat]] oxidation produces the largest water volume (107 ml/100 g), compared to [[Protein - Nutrition|protein]] (55 ml/100 g) and [[Carbohydrates Overview - Nutrition|carbohydrates]] (41 ml/100 g)<ref name="Case"/>.

==Diagnosis of [[Dehydration]]==

==Diagnosis of [[Dehydration]]==

==References==

==References==

<references/>

<references/>

[[Category:Nutrients]]

[[Category:Nutrients]]