Presumptive Glucocorticoid-Induced Refractory Hypocalcemia in a Dog with Idiopathic Immune-Mediated Hypoparathyroidism, Thrombocytopenia, and Hemolytic Anemia

Abstract

Clinically relevant hypocalcemia is a well-documented complication of glucocorticoid administration in people with hypoparathyroidism. The current report describes the phenomenon in a dog. A 7 yr old neutered male Pomeranian was diagnosed with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, and primary hypoparathyroidism. This dog required long-term parenteral calcium gluconate to prevent clinical hypocalcemia despite appropriate doses of oral calcitriol and calcium carbonate. This is the first description of clinically significant presumptive glucocorticoid induced hypocalcemia in a dog with primary hypoparathyroidism.