Abstract | CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-year-old castrated male domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was examined because of a 3-week history of intermittent seizures, signs of depression, hypocalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Plasma biochemical analysis confirmed hyperphosphatemia (17.7 mg/dL) and low concentrations of total (4.3 mg/dL) and ionized (0.49 mmol/L) calcium. Serum parathyroid hormone concentration (2.30 pmol/L) was low or in the low part of the reference interval. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME:
Calcium gluconate was administered (2.0 mg/kg/h [0.9 mg/lb/h], IV), followed by a transition to administration of calcium carbonate (53 mg/kg [24.1 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h) and dihydrotachysterol (0.02 mg/kg/d [0.009 mg/lb/d], PO). Attitude of the ferret improved and seizures ceased as blood calcium concentrations increased. The ferret was reexamined because of seizures approximately 1 year after oral maintenance administration of dihydrotachysterol and calcium was initiated. The ferret responded well to emergency and long-term treatment but then was lost to follow-up monitoring. The ferret died approximately 2 years after the initial evaluation and treatment. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was diagnosed during necropsy, but the parathyroid glands could not be identified. CLINICAL RELEVANCE:
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Authors | Ricardo E de Matos, Maren J Connolly, Simon R Starkey, James K Morrisey |
Journal | Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
(J Am Vet Med Assoc)
Vol. 245
Issue 4
Pg. 419-24
(Aug 15 2014)
ISSN: 1943-569X [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 25075826
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Vitamins
- Calcium Carbonate
- Dihydrotachysterol
- Calcium Gluconate
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Topics |
- Animals
- Calcium Carbonate
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Calcium Gluconate
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Dihydrotachysterol
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Ferrets
- Hypocalcemia
(veterinary)
- Hypoparathyroidism
(blood, drug therapy, veterinary)
- Male
- Vitamins
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
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