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1 March 2012 Severe Idiopathic Hypocalcemia in a Juvenile Western Lowland Gorilla, Gorilla gorilla gorilla
Jenifer Chatfield, Greeley Stones, Tania Jalil
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Abstract

A 6-mo-old, male western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) was evaluated because of tetany of both hands. The gorilla had alternating periods of constipation, diarrhea, and bloating since birth. A diagnosis of idiopathic hypocalcemia was based on severe hypocalcemia, a normal vitamin D level, response to oral calcium and vitamin D therapy, and eventual resolution. Idiopathic hypocalcemia, an uncommon disease in neonatal humans, should be considered in young gorillas with persistent gastrointestinal problems or acute tetany.

American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Jenifer Chatfield, Greeley Stones, and Tania Jalil "Severe Idiopathic Hypocalcemia in a Juvenile Western Lowland Gorilla, Gorilla gorilla gorilla," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 43(1), 171-173, (1 March 2012). https://doi.org/10.1638/2011-0053.1
Received: 15 March 2011; Published: 1 March 2012
KEYWORDS
Gorilla gorilla gorilla
hypocalcemia
idiopathic
Neonatal
vitamin D
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