Vitamin D Toxicosis in Pigs

Vitamin D toxicosis in pigs has been reported after accidental oral overdosing of vitamin D. Upper safe levels for vitamin D in feed have been reported to be 2,200 IU/kg of diet with exposure for up to 60 days, or 33,000 IU if exposure < 60 days (1). These values exceed recommended requirements for sows' feed by 3 and 40 times, respectively, and recommended requirements for growing pigs by 10 and 150 times, respectively.

Reported cases of vitamin D toxicosis in pigs often involve accidental doses of 1,000 times the recommended requirements.

Clinical signs of vitamin D toxicosis in pigs include anorexia, lethargy, weight loss, reluctance to move, lameness, and, in some instances, polyuria/polydipsia. Soft tissue calcinosis has been reported in tissues of the cardiovascular system, the respiratory tract, and the kidneys.

Pronounced hypercalcemia is the most consistent blood biochemical abnormality in vitamin D toxicosis, and increased blood phosphorus and magnesium concentrations are reported to occur during early stages of intoxication.