Introduction

• Cause: low calcium diet, inappropriate dietary calcium: phosphorus ratio, hypovitaminosis D, nutritional or renal secondary hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, pregnancy toxemia.
• Signs: weakness, muscle tremors, seizures, lameness.
• Diagnosis: biochemistry, diagnostic imaging.
• Treatment: calcium supplementation, treat underlying cause, correct diet and husbandry.
• Prognosis: good if mild clinical signs; poor if severe, advanced underlying disease. Can be life threatening.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Secondary to renal secondary hyperparathyroidism in geriatric animals.
• Secondary to nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism.
• Low calcium, high phosphorus diet.
• Hypovitaminosis D.
• May occur in guinea pigs fed a calcium restricted diet designed to reduce urolithiasis Urolithiasis.
• Seen in Satin Guinea pigs with Satin guinea pig syndrome Fibrous osteodystrophy.
• Hypocalcemia may also occur with hypoproteinemia.

Predisposing factors

General

• Pregnancy and lactation.

Specific

• Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism.
• Renal secondary hyperparathyroidism.
• Primary hyperparathyroidism.
• Pregnancy toxemia Pregnancy toxemia.
• Lactation.
• Parathyroidectomy.

Timecourse

• Acute or chronic depending on underlying cause.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes