Rickets in two hand-reared polar bear (Ursus maritimus) cubs.
Two polar bear (Ursus maritimus) cubs born at the Denver Zoological Gardens were abandoned by a primiparous mother. Lethargic and extremely chilled, the cubs were transported to the zoo hospital for intensive care and hand rearing. Both cubs developed rickets. Dietary changes were instituted, and both cubs completely recovered with the exception of a bowed right femur (genu varum) in the female cub.
Kenny
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DE
Denver Zoological Gardens, City Park, Colorado 80205-4899, USA.
Irlbeck
N A
NA
Eller
J L
JL
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood; D016226:Phosphorus, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011859:Radiography; D012279:Rickets / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D001503:Ursidae; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015430:Weight Gain
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D016226:Phosphorus, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D; D010758:Phosphorus; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D002118:Calcium