Management of sodium ion toxicosis – water deprivation syndrome

If a pig is exposed to prolonged periods without water or excessive salt intake, the sodium content of the brain increases. The most severe problems occur when a pig is rehydrated with unfettered water access. The high concentration of sodium in the brain draws water in and the brain swells inside the rigid calvarium causing neurologic clinical signs and ultimately, death. Rehydration must occur as a slow process over a period of many hours to prevent brain swelling. Water introduction must occur over a period of hours with slow water introduction to allow for the sodium ion exchange.