Bovine Calcinosis due to Excessive Administration of Vitamin D

Abstract

Typical calcinosis occurred in two adult dairy cows which had been administered with vitamin D for a long time to prevent osteomalacia after delivery. The cows displayed emaciation, weakness of heart sound, distention of the jugular vein, and diarrhea. Pathologically, Severe generalized calcification was revealed in them. Main calcified lesions were in the left atrial and ventricular endocardium of the heart, the media of arteries, the adventitia of veins, trabeculae of the spleen, the basement membranes of tubules of the renal medulla, the serosa of the rumen and omasum, and the gastric glands of the abomasum. Cartilaginous metaplasia was observed in some of the affected arterial walls. In the lungs calcification was seen in the bronchial cartilage, and multiple bony metaplasia in alveolar walls. The present cases were considered to have been caused by an excessive administration of vitamin, D.