Hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia due to primary hypoparathyroidism in a six-month-old kitten

A six-month-old, intact female Himalayan kitten was presented to the University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for evaluation of chronic lethargy, inappetance, muscle tremors, and seizures. Upon physical examination, the kitten was very small for her age. Bilateral, incipient-to-immature cataracts were seen on ophthalmic examination. Severe hypocalcemia and concurrent hyperphosphatemia were identified on initial diagnostic evaluation. A diagnosis of primary hypoparathyroidism was made by identifying reduced concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH). The kitten responded well to treatment with calcium, vitamin D, and aluminum hydroxide and is clinically normal 17 months after initiation of treatment.