Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in a Cat

Abstract

A two-month-old male mixed-breed cat was brought to us with a history of lameness. Radiographically, a generalized decrease in bone opacity and fractures of the right distal femur and proximal tibia were found. A serum biochemical profile revealed low ionized calcium and markedly high parathormone concentration. The cat had been fed a diet mainly composed of chicken meat. Treatment consisting of external fixation, cage confinement, and a diet of commercial kitten food resulted in a quick recovery. This case was diagnosed as nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, on the basis of the clinical, radiographic, and biochemical findings, and also the content of the cat’s daily meal. The quick recovery by dietary modification proved that the diagnosis was correct.