title: Severe idiopathic hypocalcemia in a juvenile western lowland gorilla, Gorilla gorilla gorilla.
abstract: A 6-mo-old, male western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) was evaluated because of tetany of both hands. The gorilla had alternating periods of constipation, diarrhea, and bloating since birth. A diagnosis of idiopathic hypocalcemia was based on severe hypocalcemia, a normal vitamin D level, response to oral calcium and vitamin D therapy, and eventual resolution. Idiopathic hypocalcemia, an uncommon disease in neonatal humans, should be considered in young gorillas with persistent gastrointestinal problems or acute tetany.
authors.affiliation: Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 Ringgold Street, Brownsville, Texas 78520, USA. jen_chatfield@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jenifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chatfield
authors.forename: Greeley
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stones
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jalil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018420:Ape Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006071:Gorilla gorilla; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D; D002117:Calcitriol; D002118:Calcium