Cholecalciferol

Question 1

What is the source of toxicosis?

Answer 1

Ingestion of bait, secondary toxicosis, large doses of vitamin D, poisonous plants

Question 2

What is another name for cholecalciferol?

Answer 2

Vitamin D3

Question 3

Which animals are more frequently poisoned?

Answer 3

Dogs and cats

Cats are more sensitive

Question 4

What are three predisposing factors?

Answer 4

Renal disease, hyperparathyroidism and ingestion of high Ca/P in diet

Question 5

T/F: Cholecalciferol has a narrow safety margin?

Answer 5

TRUE-Small amount is DEADLY

Question 6

How does cholecalciferol get to the liver?

Answer 6

Binds to serum vitamin D binding protein

Question 7

Once in the liver, what happens to cholecalciferol?

Answer 7

Metabolized by hydroxylation to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol

Question 8

What is the main circulating form of cholecalciferol?

Answer 8

25-hydroxycholecalciferol

Question 9

What does 25-hydroxycholecalciferol get metabolized to in the kidney?

Answer 9

1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol)

Question 10

What is the most potent form of cholecalciferol?

Answer 10

Calcitriol

Question 11

What does calcitriol do to Ca/P levels?

Answer 11

Increases Ca & P by stimulating renal reabsorption and Ca release from bone

Question 12

T/F: Vitamin D can be excreted in milk in toxic levles

Answer 12

TRUE

Question 13

What is a side effect of the increased Ca/P levels?

Answer 13

Tissue mineralization

Question 14

What ions are lost due to increased Ca/P levels?

Answer 14

Na and K

Question 15

What is the major cause of death in these patients?

Answer 15

Cardiac/renal failure

Question 16

How long does it take for CS to appear?

Answer 16

24-36 hrs

Question 17

What are some major systems affected due to this poisoning?

Answer 17

GI, Renal, CV possibly neuro signs

Question 18

What is a major lesion seen in the GI/heart?

Answer 18

White chalky deposits

Question 19

What are postmortem specimens that should be obtained for laboratory diagnoses?

Answer 19

Bile/Kidney

Question 20

T/F: Increased levels of PTH will be a result

Answer 20

FALSE
Decreased levels- the Ca/P is increased, your body will try and compensate by decreasing the amount of Ca/P redistributed through the body

Question 21

What treatment can be used to decrease Calcium to normal levels?

Answer 21

Pamidronate disodium (inhibitor of bone resorption)