Dystrophic mineralization of the arterial fibrovascular tissue associated with a vitamin D hypervitaminosis in an 8-year-old female Alpaca (Vicugna pacos).

Matthias Gauly,Annalisa Stefani,Claudia Zanardello,Patrik Zanolari,Alexander Tavella,Astrid Bettini

doi:10.1186/s13620-016-0078-1

Abstract

BackgroundProphylactic Vitamin D supplementation is a common practice in Alpaca breeding in many regions around the world. An overdosage can lead to dystrophic mineralization of soft tissues. In this paper we illustrate a suspected case of hypervitaminosis D in an 8-year-old female Alpaca.Case presentationIn June 2015, the carcass of an 8-year-old female Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) was submitted to the diagnostic laboratory of the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe) for necropsy. The animal had undergone a spontaneous abortion with uterine prolapse and delivery of the placenta, and had died shortly thereafter. Death occurred due to internal haemorrhage related to dystrophic mineralization of the left renal artery with subsequent rupture and damage of the renal hilum. During the necropsy, histopathological and serum biochemical analyses were performed. After laboratory analyses and the history of mineral and vitamin supplementation reported by the breeder, a hypervitaminosis D was suspected to be the most probable cause of the dystrophic mineralization observed in the left renal artery.ConclusionsMost of the information regarding Llamas and Alpacas comes from the South American and Australian regions. It is therefore important to provide scientific information about these animals in other regions of the world in order to have a better and wider understanding of the nutritional and environmental conditions necessary for optimal breeding.

Highlights

Prophylactic Vitamin D supplementation is a common practice in Alpaca breeding in many regions around the world
Vitamin D3 is synthesized in the skin of animals by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of 7-dehydrocholesterol; an insufficient exposure to sunlight may result in a Vitamin D3 deficiency
According to Smith and Van Saun [7], Vitamin D3 concentrations in South American camelids (SAC) vary significantly depending on the season: the lowest concentrations are measured in the months of September and October and again in February and March, corresponding to the months before and following the period of less exposure to sunlight in central Europe [2, 7, 8, 9]

Summary

Conclusions

Vitamin D3 is synthesized in the skin of animals by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of 7-dehydrocholesterol; an insufficient exposure to sunlight may result in a Vitamin D3 deficiency. The hypothesis that SAC have adapted to the constant UV radiation in their native environment by reducing their capability of producing this vitamin [7] would most likely confirm why supplying animals with Vitamin D has positive effects on their general wellbeing, preventing possible vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The hembra was treated twice with Vitamin D (Duphral® D3 1000, Zoetis Italia Srl, via Andrea Doria 41 M, 00192 Roma, Italy), respectively in November 2014 and January 2015 Both times, 0.5 ml of the product were administered intramuscularly (corresponding to 500,000 IU of Vitamin D3 per treatment). Other possible causes of dystrophic mineralization include arterial calcifications in chronic kidney disease [22]; this has been frequently encountered in human medicine, we were unable to find, in literature, other causes of dystrophic mineralization in SAC.

Background