Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Neurological problems and low calcium in young servals with diet
By Austen, J L et al.·Published in Australian veterinary journal·2025·Sydney School of Veterinary Science, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Acute onset neurological deficits and hypocalcaemia associated with nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism in three juvenile servals (Leptailurus serval).
Plain-English summary
Three young servals were brought in with seizures, unsteady movements, and other neurological problems due to a serious calcium deficiency from their diet. Unfortunately, one serval had to be euthanized because its condition was so severe, and another suffered a seizure and stopped breathing while being treated. The third serval, which developed a broken bone, was successfully treated by changing its diet to include more calcium and keeping it in a cage to limit movement. This case highlights the importance of a balanced diet for captive animals to prevent serious health issues.
People also search for: serval seizures treatment · nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism in cats · calcium deficiency in pet diets
Abstract
Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism is a metabolic disorder caused by an imbalance in calcium homeostasis and is typically associated with the feeding of a calcium-deficient diet. Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism has been reported in domestic species, including cats and dogs, as well as captive carnivores and wildlife including lions, tigers, servals and skunks. Captive carnivores are typically fed a raw-meat diet, which can be severely deficient in calcium if not appropriately balanced or supplemented. Three juvenile servals (Leptailurus serval) presented with seizures, ataxia and neuromuscular deficits. One serval was euthanased due to the severity of clinical signs. Another serval suffered a seizure, aspirated and arrested while in care. Both animals had hypocalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia. Radiographic signs of osteopaenia, clinical pathology and dietary history supported a diagnosis of nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism. A third serval, which developed a pathological fracture, was successfully managed with dietary correction and cage confinement. This report describes this presentation of nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism with seizures and the diagnostic process used to rule out other causes of neurological signs for this litter with an incomplete vaccination schedule and recent history of weaning and interstate transport.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40506415/