Progressive alopecia associated with hypoparathyroidism in a Jersey heifer

Chronic progressive generalized alopecia in dairy cattle has been anecdotally discussed in veterinary forums.

To describe subclinical changes in an otherwise apparently healthy animal with chronic progressive generalized alopecia.

One 10-month-old Jersey heifer.

Case report.

A heifer was presented for chronic progressive alopecia. The skin was hyperpigmented and very thin (2.4 ± 0.0 mm, compared with 8.1 ± 0.3 mm measured in four contemporaneous Jersey heifers). Histopathological examination of the skin revealed severe epidermal hyperplasia, orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis and diffuse follicular atrophy. Clinicopathological changes included hypocalcaemia that did not respond to calcium therapy. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) was not detected, compared with 1.38 ± 0.78 pmol/L in four contemporaneous Jersey heifers. A diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism was made based on hypocalcaemia and low PTH in the presence of normal magnesium levels. The heifer was otherwise healthy and was allowed to continue normal life. A spontaneous abortion occurred at 5.5 months of pregnancy and this was likely due to the presence of twin fetuses. Despite targeted therapy of the ensuing retained placenta, the heifer declined in health and had to be euthanized. From the time of diagnosis with hypoparathyroidism until euthanasia (29 months of age), blood levels of calcium, phosphorus and PTH were regularly monitored. Calcium and phosphorus levels varied widely. Serum PTH was consistently undetectable. At postmortem examination, the parathyroid glands could not be located.

To our knowledge, this is the first report of naturally occurring hypoparathyroidism in cattle and with a clinical presentation of alopecia.