Anyone have familiarity with hypoparathyroidism in canines? ...

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Answer by Polly
Submitted on 1/15/2004
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YES! My 7 year old golden retriever was admitted to the Pet E.R. last night, was diagnosed with hypocalcemia within one hour, and treatment was begun immediately. Blood tests were sent off today to the U. of Michigan to confirm the working diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism. For several weeks he had been licking/chewing at his toes off and on, and several days ago began rubbing his face vigorously with his paws. Two days ago he would limp occasionally -each time on a different leg and but then could run full speed in between the limping episodes. Then, suddenly last night he fell to the ground and had strange posturing of his legs with yelping. Rushed him to regular vet who diagnosed seizures and sent him to the Pet E.R. We were so lucky. The vet in the E.R. had done a paper in vet school on hypocalcemia, and she said the KEY for her was hearing about the face rubbing, that it is very characteristic of this disease. Same for the toe biting. I feel very fortunate. What happened with your doggie?

Answer by emily
Submitted on 9/7/2004
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dexter is my 6 year old boston terrier, and we've been fighting primary hypoparathyroidism for two years now! when he fell to the ground in a seizure december 17th 2 years ago, i rushed him to my animal care center. i thought he had a seizure disorder, but all his tests were normal--EXCEPT his calcium and phosphorus levels! his calcium was only 4.2, so they immediately started him on iv therapy. however, the meds that they sent me home with were not strong enough to keep his levels up, so 5 days later, we were in the emergency clinic(merry christmas to us). he now gets his calcium carbonate and calcitriol from walgreens under the name "dexter dog", and his levels were thought to be stabilized, with 1000mg of ca daily and .25 mcg of calcitriol(a vit d supplement) every 4 days, until recently. his levels were holding in the 9-10 range, but then i started noticing hair loss. i chalked it up to allergies and the summer weather. next i noticed the face rubbing and characteristic tetanic contractions--they look like karate kicks in the hind legs. we went to the vet, and our calcium has dropped to 6.5 again. we were tested only 1 and 1/2 months ago with a result of 10! i'mscared to go through this again, as he is like a child to me, but i'llfight for him as long as i can. i'mcurrently looking for diet supplementation ideas and any info on long-term prognosis for such a brittle case as his. thanks for sharing your stories. hope this helps

Answer by Llisa
Submitted on 5/4/2007
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Yes, my lab has hypoparatharoidism. She was initially diagnosed as epileptic and was on phenobarbitol for a number of years, fairly controlled. Then seizures started suddenly and much bigger. She also became almost unable to finish a walk. After REPEATED visits to the vet saying something else had to be wrong, we finally found a vet who tested for this and she was positive. After treatment, response was miraculous to us. She was like a puppy again. (she's 7). She did great with the treatment for a little over a year. She's now having symptoms again and for some reason her calcium levels are falling again. Seizuers started again and she's slowing down. We now know what to test and so we are having to stabalize her medications to get them at the right level to treat the problem.

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Question by janice j
Submitted on 11/28/2003
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Juvenile Renal Disease
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Anyone have familiarity with hypoparathyroidism in canines? I almost lost my 7 year old Min. Schnauzer before this diagnosis was made.

Answer by Allison
Submitted on 11/15/2004
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A few years ago my Rat Terrier went into a weird tremor attack. He was panting with his tongue curled up strangly and shaking all over. I rushed him to the emergency vet where they thought he had been poisoned. $1000.00 later they diagnosed his with hypoparathyroidism. He now takes calcium supplements.

Answer by Jane
Submitted on 7/3/2006
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Yes-my miniature Schnauzer has hypoparathyroidism. I will write no more until I hear back from someone that this sight is even a sight! J.

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