Clinical report of hypervitaminosis A in three companion cats in Ahvaz district

Hypervitaminosis A is a skeletal disease that occurs in cats after excessive intake of vitamin A (feeding with raw liver of sheep and cows). High concentration of vitamin A inhibits intramembranous and endochondral ossification, resulting in dystrophic calcification of the skeleton. Affected cats are between 2 to 4 years-old. There is no breed or sex predilections. Radiographic findings include new bone formation along the arches and ventral parts of the bodies of vertebrae especially cervical vertebrae. Bony proliferation may also occur on thoracic and lumbar vertebrae on some of the long bones and surrounding joints. In this study that was carried out on 107 cats three cases were detected to have hypervitaminosis A. They were referred to Veterinary Hospital of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz for check-up. These patients were 3-5.5 years old and all them were Domestic Short Hair. These cats were kept on a diet consisting with high amount of raw liver. They had clinical signs including lethargy, partial anorexia, and weight loss during several month's duration. The cats head and neck were rigidly extended. There was no sign of pain in clinical examination of three patients but stiffness and limited movement of joints were noticed. New bone formation in vertebral columns (cervical and thoracic vertebra) and forelimbs bones around joints were recognized in radiographs. The aim of this study was investigation of hypervitaminosis A in companion cats in Ahvaz district.