Acute vitamin D toxicosis in an adult cat

A 4-year-old, female spayed domestic shorthair cat was presented to the Michigan State University emergency service for evaluation of vomiting 4 days after exposure to vitamin D supplements. On intake, the patient was found to have ionized hypercalcemia and azotemia. The patient was hospitalized for calciuresis therapy including fluid diuresis, diuretics, steroids, bisphosphonates and a nasogastric feeding tube. She was discharged and presented for a recheck evaluation and was then hospitalized a second time for the same therapy as her first hospitalization. Eventually the patient was discharged for at-home care with subcutaneous fluids and oral medications because of financial constraints. Approximately 52 days after exposure, the cat was noted to have persistently normal ionized calcium and all medications were discontinued.

This case provides a unique example of acute vitamin D toxicosis in a cat and a financially conservative approach in treating a toxicity with a significant half-life.