Sodium Chloride Toxicity in Dogs

The objective of the research was to determine whether consistent, significant differences in response to life span dietary sodium chloride levels occur in dogs, and, if so, the influence of sex and genetics and exploration of the significance in the occurrence of arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis in man. Twenty-three beagles from unrelated AKC registered litters, whelped May 1965, had carotid loop procedures October 1965, base-line physiologic measurements until February 1966, when 1 male and 1 female from each litter were randomly assigned to rations containing 1.5%, 6%, and 12% NaCl. At a farm, daily maintenance and primary care were given. Monthly veterinary inspection, blood pressure measurements, weighting, quarterly urine and blood collections, and semi-annual ECGs in medical school laboratories were monitored. Weights remained relatively constant, mean arterial blood pressures were essentially at base line balues. Serum cholesterol values showed no significant variations in relation to salt intake or blood pressures.