RESUMO
Background: Secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism (SNH) is a metabolic disease related to calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and causes generalized bone dystrophy. It occurs especially when animals are fed diets which contain proportionally high levels of phosphorus. SNH has been diagnosed in various large feline species such as jaguars, tigers, lions and leopards by means of biochemical and radiographic exams. Even though the feeding habits of these animals are well known, mistakes regarding administration of diets to animals in captivity are common, the most frequent being feeding them exclusively meat. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and radiographic fi ndings of SNH in a cougar kept in captivity. Case: An approximately 9-month-old cougar (Puma concolor) which had been fed an exclusive meat diet was referred to the UFMT Veterinary Hospital after a period of diet correction and oral supplementation with calcium. The animal exhibited hind limb ambulation problems, poor nutritional condition and constipation. Radiographic examination revealed a slight skeletal density reduction, severe angular deformities of the hind limb bones, thickening of the femoral diaphysis, abnormal curvatures of the tibiae and calcanei, lateral displacement of the patellae and narrowing of the pelvic canal. Additionally to the skeletal alterations, there was intense colonic impac
Background: Secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism (SNH) is a metabolic disease related to calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and causes generalized bone dystrophy. It occurs especially when animals are fed diets which contain proportionally high levels of phosphorus. SNH has been diagnosed in various large feline species such as jaguars, tigers, lions and leopards by means of biochemical and radiographic exams. Even though the feeding habits of these animals are well known, mistakes regarding administration of diets to animals in captivity are common, the most frequent being feeding them exclusively meat. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and radiographic fi ndings of SNH in a cougar kept in captivity. Case: An approximately 9-month-old cougar (Puma concolor) which had been fed an exclusive meat diet was referred to the UFMT Veterinary Hospital after a period of diet correction and oral supplementation with calcium. The animal exhibited hind limb ambulation problems, poor nutritional condition and constipation. Radiographic examination revealed a slight skeletal density reduction, severe angular deformities of the hind limb bones, thickening of the femoral diaphysis, abnormal curvatures of the tibiae and calcanei, lateral displacement of the patellae and narrowing of the pelvic canal. Additionally to the skeletal alterations, there was intense colonic impac
RESUMO
Background: Secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism (SNH) is a metabolic disease related to calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and causes generalized bone dystrophy. It occurs especially when animals are fed diets which contain proportionally high levels of phosphorus. SNH has been diagnosed in various large feline species such as jaguars, tigers, lions and leopards by means of biochemical and radiographic exams. Even though the feeding habits of these animals are well known, mistakes regarding administration of diets to animals in captivity are common, the most frequent being feeding them exclusively meat. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and radiographic fi ndings of SNH in a cougar kept in captivity. Case: An approximately 9-month-old cougar (Puma concolor) which had been fed an exclusive meat diet was referred to the UFMT Veterinary Hospital after a period of diet correction and oral supplementation with calcium. The animal exhibited hind limb ambulation problems, poor nutritional condition and constipation. Radiographic examination revealed a slight skeletal density reduction, severe angular deformities of the hind limb bones, thickening of the femoral diaphysis, abnormal curvatures of the tibiae and calcanei, lateral displacement of the patellae and narrowing of the pelvic canal. Additionally to the skeletal alterations, there was intense colonic impac
Background: Secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism (SNH) is a metabolic disease related to calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and causes generalized bone dystrophy. It occurs especially when animals are fed diets which contain proportionally high levels of phosphorus. SNH has been diagnosed in various large feline species such as jaguars, tigers, lions and leopards by means of biochemical and radiographic exams. Even though the feeding habits of these animals are well known, mistakes regarding administration of diets to animals in captivity are common, the most frequent being feeding them exclusively meat. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and radiographic fi ndings of SNH in a cougar kept in captivity. Case: An approximately 9-month-old cougar (Puma concolor) which had been fed an exclusive meat diet was referred to the UFMT Veterinary Hospital after a period of diet correction and oral supplementation with calcium. The animal exhibited hind limb ambulation problems, poor nutritional condition and constipation. Radiographic examination revealed a slight skeletal density reduction, severe angular deformities of the hind limb bones, thickening of the femoral diaphysis, abnormal curvatures of the tibiae and calcanei, lateral displacement of the patellae and narrowing of the pelvic canal. Additionally to the skeletal alterations, there was intense colonic impac