Hypervitaminosis D in sheep. An experimental study.

A comparison of the picture of vitamin D intoxication in sheep caused by injection of vitamin D3 and the picture caused by injection of lα-OH-cholecalciferol was made. The clinical symptoms were moderate. Unwillingness to move and sensitivity to palpation of the flexor tendons of the forelegs were found during the last week of life. The clinical-chemical picture was characterized by a pronounced increase in inorg. P values and a less pronounced increase in Ga values. In the vitamin De-treated animals these increases appeared later and were less pronounced. At necropsy, vascular calcifications were found (Table 3). No macroscopical or histological differences between the effect of vitamin D3 and of lα-OH-cholecalciferol were demonstrated.