Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Low calcium and vitamin D in two dogs with protein-losing gut disease
By Mellanby, R J et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2005·Queen's Veterinary School Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hypocalcaemia associated with low serum vitamin D metabolite concentrations in two dogs with protein-losing enteropathies.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two dogs were brought to the vet because they were experiencing diarrhea and losing weight. Blood tests showed that both had low levels of calcium and a vitamin D metabolite, along with high levels of parathyroid hormone, which can indicate a problem with calcium absorption. One dog was found to have a condition called lymphangiectasia, while the other had chronic inflammation in the intestines. Although the exact cause wasn't confirmed, the intestinal issues likely led to poor absorption of vitamin D, resulting in low calcium levels.
People also search for: dog diarrhea and weight loss · low calcium in dogs · vitamin D deficiency in dogs
Abstract
Protein-losing enteropathies were diagnosed in two dogs that were initially presented with diarrhoea and weight loss. Plasma biochemistry in both cases revealed low concentrations of albumin, calcium and ionised calcium. Both dogs had an elevated plasma parathyroid hormone concentration and low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration. The first dog was diagnosed with lymphangiectasia on postmortem examination, and the second dog was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic/ plasmacytic enteritis and severe cystic mucoid changes based on endoscopic duodenal biopsies. While a causal effect was not demonstrated, the protein-losing enteropathies may have caused reduced intestinal absorption of vitamin D leading to low plasma concentrations of ionised calcium and secondary hyperparathyroidism. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of low ionised calcium concentrations, low 25(OH)D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations, and high parathyroid hormone concentrations in dogs with protein-losing enteropathies.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16035452/