[Clinical findings in vitamin D poisoning of swine]

Acute to subacute vitamin D toxicosis is described in two different fattening pig herds. A few days after admixing a new batch of vitamin/mineral-premix most of the fattening hogs developed anorexia, polydipsia and polyuria. Emesis was seen in some of the animals. About two weeks after consumption of the suspected feed two thirds of the pigs had a rough hair coat and a very poor weight gain. Because of the results of haematological and metabolic findings from blood and urine samples of diseased pigs a calcinosis and tubular nephrosis was diagnosed. Patho-histological findings of the euthanatized morbid pigs included severe chronic interstitial nephritis, glomerulonephritis and mineralisation of a number of organs. Some of the animals showed degeneration of the myocardium. Feeding two healthy pigs with the incriminated feed the disease was reproduced.