[Clinical effects of an extreme Ca overdose in feed for growing piglets]

In a piggery (approx. 60 sows) nearly all the weaned piglets (about 150) showed signs of poor development, reduced feed intake, increased water consumption, markedly dry and hard faeces, urine drinking, navel suckling and drowsiness over 6-8 weeks. In blood samples of 4 affected piglets a significant hypercalcaemia (values greater than 20 mg/dl)--combined with an at times marked hypophosphataemia--was measured. In the diet offered, a Ca content of 56.2 g/kg was estimated. An intoxication due to ochratoxin or due to excessive levels of quinoxaline or vitamin D was excluded by toxicological investigations of the diet. Contamination by Datura stramonium was also ruled out.