title: [Nutritional or secondary hyperparathyroidism in a German shepherd litter].
abstract: Nutritional or secondary hyperparathyroidism in a litter of German shepherd dogs is reported. The bitch lost interest in the litter 2 weeks post partum, the owner proceeded to feed the pups on a mainly meat diet (low in calcium) together with whole wheat bread (high in phosphate) until they were presented at Onderstepoort at the age of 6 weeks. Clinically the pups showed poor growth, posterior paresis and pain on palpation of the long bones. Radiological examination revealed decreased bone density and thickness of bone cortices. A diagnosis of nutritional or secondary hyperparathyroidism was made. The diet was corrected and in addition the pups were treated with a balanced supplement of calcium and phosphate with very good clinical response. The pathophysiology of nutritional or secondary hyperparathyroidism as well as ricketts and hypertrophic osteodystrophy as differential diagnoses are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D006962:Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D012279:Rickets / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary
vernacular_title: Voedings- of sekondêre hiperparatiroïedisme in 'n werpsel duitse herdershonde.