Seizures and acute death attributable to hypovitaminosis A and suspected hypovitaminosis D in feeder pigs.
Clinical signs that included lethargy, inappetence, diarrhea, and vomiting and that progressed to seizures were observed in 40 feeder pigs that were approximately 70 days old. The pigs were fed ground red wheat and whole milk and were housed in a barn that did not allow exposure to direct sunlight. Analysis of samples of feed obtained from the farm indicated inadequate quantities of calcium and phosphorus as well as a low ratio of these 2 nutrients. Serum and tissue concentrations of vitamin A were less than normal. Low serum calcium concentrations, high serum phosphorus concentrations, and high alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase activities were compatible with low vitamin D concentrations.
Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
J
J
Lakritz
L W
LW
George
J
J
Moore
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D000855:Anorexia / Q000662:veterinary; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000662:veterinary; D016226:Phosphorus, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012894:Sleep Stages; D013472:Sunlight; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000662:veterinary
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D016226:Phosphorus, Dietary