Rapid development of secondary hyperparathyroidism and fibrous osteodystrophy in a juvenile orangutan.

ABSTRACT

This study presents a probable case of rapidly-developed fibrous osteodystrophy and secondary hyperparathyroidism in a juvenile wild-caught zoo orangutan, Pongo pygmaeus. Cases of this metabolic disease, associated with captivity in primates, are underreported in non-human Hominidae, and none to the extent of postcranial afflictions. We present the first described case of these metabolic pathologies of a great ape at both the cranial and skeletal levels.