Improvement of dietary total calcium to inorganic phosphorus ratio prevents progressive nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism in ponies and donkeys

Abstract

Five ponies and two donkeys suspected of having nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSH) were put on an improved diet with a phosphorus:calcium ratio of 1:1.5. Changes in serum phosphorus, calcium, intact-PTH, and calcitonin concentrations were monitored for 1 year. High levels of phosphorus, intact-PTH, and calcitonin in the blood caused by NSH were significantly reduced two months after the improved diet was started, although the calcium level in the blood hardly changed (P<0.05). Therefore a diet with well balanced minerals can help ponies and donkeys recover from NSH.