Fatal soft tissue calcification in suckling puppies

Renal, pulmonary and vascular calcification was observed in 2 suckling puppies. The lesions were similar to those associated with hypervitaminosis D and possibly hypervitaminosis A. It was suspected that high contents of vitamin D and A in the diet of the lactating bitch had elevated the activity of these vitamins in the milk to levels toxic for the suckling puppies.