ABSTRACT. A three-month-old male Bull Terrier was referred to the Animal Medical Centre, Nihon University with chief complaints of subacute emesis and lethargy. Severe leukocytosis, high CRP, hypercalcemia and hypochloremia were detected. Moreover, severe calcification of gingival mucosa and abdominal skin, and abnormalities of the skeletal system were discerned. Abdominal X-ray and endoscopic examination revealed ulcer and hemorrhage on the mucosal membrane of the stomach. This might have been due to injections of high dose vitamin D at 3 and 2 weeks ago by another practioner, according to the detailed history of medication. After two months, a gastrointestinal and skin disorder disappeared, although calcification of the stomach membranes remained and abnormality of th e skeletal system had worsened. Therefore, vitamin D should be carefully administrated to a puppy. KEY WORDS: puppy, severe calcification, vitamin D toxicosis.J. Vet. Med. Sci. 66(9): 1133-1135, 2004 It is not clear why calcification of mucocutaneous and gastrointestinal tissues occurs, but it is well known that high dose administration of vitamin D induces hypercalcemia. Because we had an opportunity to examine a puppy, which suffered from calcification of some tissues caused by high dose administration of vitamin D, we report it in this paper.A three-month-old, 3.5 kg, male Bull Terrier was referred to the Nihon University Animal Medical Centre with subacute emesis, unequable abdominal pain, skin ulcer, polyuria, polydipsia and lethargy. The slightly emaciated patient puppy had usually licked many kinds of metals and plastic substances in its surroundings. Physical examination revealed a severe calcification of the gingival mucosa and abdominal skin, and systemic skeletal abnormalities (Fig. 1). A diagnosis of cholecaliciferol toxicosis was suggested by serum biochemical abnormalities; profound hypercalcemia (observed Ca, 16.4 mg/dl; reference range of 7.9 to 12.2 mg/dl in our hospital for less than 6 month old puppies), lower normal phosphorus concentration (5.0 mg/dl; reference range of 5.1 to 10.4 mg/dl), BUN (29.6 mg/dl) and creatinine (0.5 mg/dl). Increased neutrophils in number and high CRP were found on blood examination. Urine analysis indicated hypercalciuria (>16 mg/dl). Moreover, the serum 1-alpha-25 OH 2 Vitamin D value of the puppy was high (51.1 pg/ml). Abdominal radiography revealed that the barium administered 4 days before, remained in the stomach and a part of the descending colon. Gastric folds were observed as stripe-shaped calcification on radiography (Fig. 2a). Endoscopic examination showed ulcerous lesions and punctate hemorrhage on the mucosal membrane of the stomach, and food block covered with barium (Fig. 2b).The puppy was treated with antibiotics (orbifloxacin, 15 mg/head, sid), gastrointestinal mucous membrane protectant (sucralfate, 200 mg/head, bid), H 2 receptor-blocker (famotidine, 5 mg/head, bid) and predonisolone (1.5 mg/head, sid). Calcification of the gingival mucosa had disappeared, and his serum calcium ...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.