From:
nlchipman
Date: 2002-04-26 18:53:00 UTC
Subject: Re: hypercalcemia - My Theory
I have done a lot of research for this one. I would be most
interested in some feedback from the vets on list - to set me
straight if need by.
Snidely's calcium was elevated at 14.0, which according to my
studies, is seen in several conditions; most often 1) certain types
of cancers and 2)hyperparathyroidism 3) renal failure.
Snidely's liver and kidney functions do not appear impaired based on
his CBC results - ruling out option 3.
According to my readings, some ways of distinquishing between
malignancies and thyroid disorders can be the serum chloride:
Hypercalcemia patients with primary hyperparathyrodism may often show
increased serum chloride which is useful in distinquishing PHPT (the
thyroid hormone). Snidely's was on the high side of normal at 123.5
and phosphorus levels:
One study on humans (I know - entirely different animal, but...)
noted that 25% of primary hyperparathyroidism show low phosphorus
Snidely's phosphorus was certainly low at 3.23.
Of course his Albumin and Globulins were out of order as well, but as
I understand it, Albumins can decrease to correct calcium for protein
binding so, perhaps, the globulins increase to compensate for the
decreased ablbumins. As Snidely's Total Proteins remain in the normal
range, maybe I should not be so concerned about that yet.
Though I cannot yet account for the lowering potassium, I did read
that it is common with hypercalcemia.
Hyperparathyroidism is often asymptomatic, but can be associated
with, among other things, weight loss, shivering, increased thrist
and weakness (all things I have seen, in retrospect, in Snidely).
So, my research points to hyperparathyroidism. Any concurring
opionions???
This is particularly interesting, since it was his brother, Chumley,
I wrote about earlier, suspecting hypotyroidism. Despite the negative
feedback I got from post, I'm still thinking that maybe two PTH tests
are in order?
Then, I have to wonder..congential or environmental? Time for a
radon test!
Nicole
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "nlchipman" <nicole@m...> wrote:
>
> Snidely's recent count was 14, which seems more that just "a little
> elevated". He also had some other abnormal results listed below.
He
> is 3 yrs and very active with a bright shiny, soft coat. >
> The only thing his vet can come up with is IBD, but is apprehensive
> to "go in" without any other signs of digestive disturbance. > His
other counts were as follows:
>
> ALB 2.6
> ALKP 74
> ALT 258
> AMYL 32
> BUN 13.9
> CHOL 212.6
> CREA .73
> GLU 120.3
> PHOS 3.23
> TBIL .27
> TP 6.08
> GLOB 3.60
> Na 156.9
> K 4.58
> Cl 123.5
>