Problems in general with parathyroid?

C

Critter

Inactive Member
Hello,

We had a devistating loss last night... our 6 month old Newf, Ivan, died after going through hours of continuous seizures. The doctors came to the conclusion that it was a problem with the pup's parathyroid, but despite a constant calcium drip to make up for the low levels in his system, we had no choice but to put him down. The only time he wasn't in seizure was while sedated to unconciousness.

My question: does anyone know of a genetic defect that would have caused this? He was perfectly fine for close to 6 months... would that point more towards an outside influence? If so, any idea what could have attacked that gland?

I thank you in advance for any ideas or suggestions.

Heartbroken,
-Chris
 
Khiori

Khiori

New member
Oh, Chris!! I'm sooo sorry!!
This is so terrible
I also lost my girl, Khiori. She battled seizures (we couldn't find the cause - assumed idiopathic epilepsy) for 5 months before dying from the AED's.

I will search high and low for you for information on this. Check back to this thread once in a while. I may need information, or maybe will find links to point you in the correct direction.

Gentle hugs,
Rachel, SoloDancer (Newf Nanny Extraordinaire) and Angel Khiori (Forever my Shining Star)

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K9 Epi
 
Khiori

Khiori

New member
I sent off requests for info from my k9 epi lists. I will post any comments as they come in.

In the meantime, I did a cursory search and found that this can be either related to internal means (such as a cancerous growth) or nutritional deficiency. Here is what the web site had to say about it:
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>
Primary hyperparathyroidism
Primary hyperparathyroidism occurs when one or more of the parathyroid glands becomes cancerous or abnormally produces excess parathyroid hormone. This causes the calcium levels in the blood to be higher than normal. Primary hyperparathyroidism is generally seen in older animals and is more common in dogs than cats.

Animals with primary hyperparathyroidism may lose their appetite, vomit, drink and urinate more, and may appear drowsy or listless. The signs often come on gradually and considerable organ damage may occur before the animal shows significant symptoms.

The treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism is removal of the abnormal or cancerous gland. The removal of the gland causes a sudden decrease in the amount of parathyroid hormone, there is a corresponding sudden drop in the blood calcium level, For this reason, the animal must be monitored closely after surgery and given calcium if the level becomes too low.

Secondary (nutritional) hyperparathyroidism
Secondary hyperparathyroidism is more common and occurs most frequently in puppies and kittens fed an all-meat or organ diet (such as all liver) or a diet with an imbalance of calcium and phosphorous. Meat contains an excess of phosphorous and inadequate amounts of calcium. Although cats and dogs are carnivores, they not only eat meat, but the bones as well, which supply the needed calcium and help to create a better calcium and phosphorous balance.

Because of the low intake of calcium, the parathyroid gland produces more parathyroid hormone, and calcium is removed from the bones.

Kittens and puppies with secondary hyperparathyroidism are often reluctant to move, may stand splay-legged, and may easily develop fractures because of the thinning of the bones. The changes in the density of the bones often cause abnormal growth, especially in the spinal column and pelvis. This places stress on the joints and can result in arthritis.

Treatment basically involves placing the animal on a balanced diet. The skeletal deformities are generally permanent and cannot be corrected.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The web site is http://www.peteducation.com/cats_dogs/hyperparathyroidism.htm I'll keep looking.

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K9 Epi
 
S

Spangksb

Inactive Member
Oh Chris!!! My heart goes out to you!


Our Ozzy is 7 months old (today) and we would be devastated by a loss such as yours! My deepest sympathy to you!

I am SO sorry for your loss!!

Sara and Ozzy
 
Khiori

Khiori

New member
Reply from my epi list:

Rachel, I noted your post on Ivan with the possible parathyroid and calcium
problems. Yes, the parathyroid is responsible for controlling calcium
levels. Plus uncontrollable muscle contractions may take place with
problems of the parathyroid but not from calcium that I can find. Possibly
Dr. Thomas might have more information on calcium as a direct link to
seizures. Without a necropsy, more information cannot be presented by me.
I sincerely apologize if the comment on necropsy offends anyone but this is
the only way true determinations about causes of death may be established on
many occasions. If I can find nothing, I certainly have viable sources with
whom to check plus our own Dr. Thomas, Joanne, and our other Angels might
have information that will be helpful for this.

There is really not enough information to determine a specific genetic link
for parathyroid in this case. I will be most happy to provide you and/or
the list with information on the parathyroid if you wish. Everything I
found actually leads right back to the thyroid gland if there are actual
seizures not severe muscle contractions that might be mistaken for seizures.
Thyroid problems can most assuredly be heritable in nature and most
assuredly result in secondary epilepsy.

Pat


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K9 Epi
 
Khiori

Khiori

New member
Reply from my epi list:

Hi Rachel,

I am so sorry to hear about their Newf. How heartbreaking. I only know
what I have read (which is extremely limited) on parathyroid. My
understanding is that parathyroids are glands located at the base of the
neck that excrete a hormone that regulates the blood calcium level. When
the parathyroid is not working properly the gland goes into overtime trying
to get calcium from any source it can, and usually attacks the bones to get
more calcium in the blood. Sometimes kidney disease can cause secondary
hyperparathyroidsim. Another affliction that can be attributed to
hyperparathyroidism is hypocalcemia, which is extremely low calcium levels
in the blood. One of the effects of hyperparathyroidism can be seizures.
Following are a few websites that I have saved on parathyroid. I hope this
helps a bit.
http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/ec.html http://www.thepetcenter.com/pha/srh.html http://www.vetinfo.com/dparathyroid.html

Please pass along my deepest sympathies for their loss. My thoughts and prayers are with them.

Wags,
Julie & Aisha

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K9 Epi
 
C

Critter

Inactive Member
Dear Rachel & Sara,

Thank you both so much for your kind words & warm thoughts. I've been in a daze for the past few days, and it's thru the kindness of others that we get beyond this type of loss.

Rachel, your informational links & the questions you asked of the doctors are especially appreciated... while I'm still at a loss as to what happened (for Ivan was FAR from malnourished), it's at least starting to get a bit clearer. Thank you, and my condolences on your loss. Khiori sounds like one of those soul-mates that everyone should be so lucky to find.

Thank you.

-Chris

BTW, Rachel: the website is gorgeous. Do you do professional design? I'm a web dev'per by day, and your homage is exquisite in form & style.
 
Khiori

Khiori

New member
Chris, Thank you for your condolances on our loss of Khiori. And yes, she was most definately my soul-mate. One of those rare moments in life where you are connected to one so like yourself.

Also, thank you for your kind words on my web site. I didn't do the graphics, but rather just did the overall design. I did create the java scripting and content, of course. My husband and I have a software developement company. We don't do web design commercially, but for our own sites.

As far as the parathyroid. I have some more emails that I would like to send on to you privately. Can I use the address you have listed in your profile here? They are partially sensitive in nature.

Again, I'm so sorry for Ivan's loss. Six months old is just a baby. Should we from this point on have pupper's who live to good long lives.

Rachel
SoloDancer and Angel Khiori (Forever my Shining Star)

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K9 Epi
 
M

misamala00

Inactive Member
I would just like to express my heartfelt sympathy for your lose. I know how it feels to lose a dog too soon. But I still cannot imagine how you feel loosing such a baby so soon and without any warning.

My thoughts go with you.

Mirjam & Misha
 
GAD

GAD

Administrator
Staff member
I'm so sorry to hear of poor Ivan.

I'm so glad this board has allowed you to get in tough with Khiori. No one will give you more support.

Everyone hug your newfs.

GAD
 
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