Spontaneous Primary Hypoparathyroidism in A Ferret (Mustela Putorius Furo)

A 2-year-old, castrated, male, domestic ferret weighing 1.125 kg (2.48 lb) was presented with a history of vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and lethargy of sudden onset. Physical examination revealed dehydration, tachypnea, bradychardia, hypotension, and moderate abdominal pain. As reference values for intact parathyroid hormone in ferrets were not available, samples from 3 clinically healthy males were analyzed. Low ionized calcium in conjunction with low intact parathyroid hormone concentrations are diagnostic for hypoparathyroidism. Based on diagnostic testing, the ferret described in this article was diagnosed with spontaneous primary hypoparathyroidism. Regular oral administration of dihydrotachysterol resulted in a therapeutic regimen to adequately control the hypoparathyroid condition of this ferret patient.