title: Seizures and severe nutrient deficiencies in a puppy fed a homemade diet.
abstract: METHODS
  An 8-month-old male Saint Bernard developed tetanic seizures and hyperthermia during evaluation of bilateral osteochondritis dissecans of the shoulder joints. Further investigation revealed that the dog was receiving an unbalanced homemade diet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preliminary evaluation of the dog revealed bilateral signs of pain and mild muscle wasting in the shoulder joint areas. Serum biochemical analysis revealed severe hypocalcemia, hyponatremia, hypochloremia, hyperphosphatemia, vitamin D deficiency, and taurine deficiency. Diffuse osteopenia was identified on radiographs of the mandible and long bones, confirming bone demineralization. Analysis of the homemade diet revealed that the dog's diet was severely deficient in a variety of nutrients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The dog responded positively to treatment for hypocalcemia, hyperthermia, and seizures. The dog's diet was changed to a complete and balanced canine diet formulated for growth. Body weight and body condition were monitored, and dietary intake was adjusted to achieve optimal body condition during growth. After initial evaluation, serial monitoring of serum calcium and taurine concentrations revealed that values were within reference limits and the dog had no further clinical signs associated with dietary deficiency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings in this puppy highlight the risks associated with feeding an unbalanced homemade diet during growth and the importance of obtaining a thorough dietary history from all patients. For owners who elect to feed a homemade diet, it is critical to have the homemade diet carefully formulated by a veterinary nutritionist to avoid severe nutrient imbalances, especially in young, growing dogs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Anastasio
authors.forename: Scott P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sutherland-Smith
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D007794:Lameness, Animal; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010008:Osteochondritis Dissecans / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium