Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with muscle spasms and low calcium treated for hypoparathyroidism
By Forbes, S et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1990·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Primary hypoparathyroidism in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat was diagnosed with primary hypoparathyroidism, a condition where the body doesn't produce enough parathyroid hormone, leading to low calcium levels. The owner noticed symptoms like loss of appetite and muscle spasms. After ruling out other possible causes, the vet confirmed the diagnosis through a biopsy of the affected parathyroid tissue. The cat responded well to a treatment plan similar to what is used for low calcium levels after thyroid surgery, and the symptoms improved significantly.
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Abstract
Primary hypoparathyroidism caused by lymphocytic parathyroiditis was diagnosed in a cat. Other causes of hypocalcemia (ethylene glycol toxicosis, phosphate enema administration, pancreatitis, renal insufficiency, and malabsorption) were ruled out on the basis of history, clinicopathologic data, and lack of supportive clinical signs, which in this cat included inappetence and tetanic muscle spasms. The diagnosis was confirmed by histologic examination of a surgically excised thyroparathyroid lobe that comprised lack of recognizable parathyroid tissue and a lymphocytic plasmacytic infiltrate adjacent to the cranial pole. A treatment regimen similar to that for iatrogenic postthyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism was successful in controlling clinical signs of the disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2332377/