| Material | Serum or heparin-plasma 0.5 ml |
| Method | ISE |
| Duration | Reporting of results on the day the sample is received (Mon–Sat) |
| Remark | - Sodium is the most important extracellular cation. In dogs and cats, sodium is excreted mainly by the kidneys.
- The main causes of hypernatraemia are loss of water without concurrent loss of electrolytes (diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus), retention of sodium (mineralocorticoids) or a high sodium intake with food without the possibility of water uptake.
- The main causes of severe hyponatraemia are hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease), diarrhoea and vomiting; hyponatraemia is also possible when diuretics are administered.
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