Reference interval determination for parathyroid hormone, ionized calcium, and total calcium concentrations in the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Validated reference intervals for PTH and calcium in rabbits now enable accurate antemortem diagnosis of calcium metabolism disorders.

This prospective observational study established reference intervals for intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), ionized calcium (iCa), and serum total calcium in clinically healthy domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Blood samples were collected from 50 adult, mixed-breed, mixed-sex rabbits (1–7 years) at a private veterinary hospital over five months. All rabbits underwent complete blood count, serum biochemical analysis, and i-STAT point-of-care testing. Serum iCa and intact PTH were analyzed via chemiluminescent assay at Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, following American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines for reference interval determination. Established reference intervals were: intact PTH 0.50–5.90 pmol/L, serum total calcium 12.60–16.50 mg/dL, whole blood iCa (i-STAT) 1.35–1.82 mmol/L, and serum iCa (benchtop analyzer) 1.53–1.84 mmol/L. A statistically significant difference was noted between whole blood and serum iCa measurements (1.64 ± 0.10 vs. 1.70 ± 0.07 mmol/L, respectively); however, the authors consider this difference clinically insignificant. Notably, this is the first study to report reference intervals for intact PTH via chemiluminescent analysis in domestic rabbits. These values provide clinicians with validated benchmarks for diagnosing primary and secondary calcium disorders, including hypercalcemia, hypocalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, and hypoparathyroidism in rabbit patients.

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