Mass Outbreak of Hypervitaminosis A in Foxes after Prolonged Feeding of Pig Liver

여우에 있어서 돼지 간 급여에 의한 비타민 A 과잉증의 집단발생

Hypervitaminosis A occurred in about 30% of foxes of five farms in Choongcheongbukdo-province from October 1989 to February 1990. Clinical signs were loss of appetite, retarded growth, lameness. Radiological changes were decreased density of the long bones, especially fibula, and osteophytes developed either on the lateral condyle of humerus or ulnar just below the semilunar notch. Pathological change was the development of exotosis as is evidenced by radiological examination. Pig liver and lung consisted 30∼55% of feeds from March 1989 to February 1990. The serum concentrations of vitamin A in 2 affected foxes were 45,900 and 47,300 IU/d$\ell$ and the concentrations of vitamin A in the liver were 8,760 and 10,842 IU/gm respectively. It is concluded that the high level of vitamin A in the pig liver and the large amount of pig liver in the feed composition are the etiology of the disease.