A veterinarian may inform the owner that a pet has hypercalcemia, or an elevated level of calcium in the blood, after reviewing a blood panel. When this happens, the owner frequently questions whether the pet’s food, vitamins, or supplements contain enough calcium.
Calcium from food or canine nutritional supplements won’t raise blood levels too much. There are some diseases, though, that can cause hypercalcemia. The calcium test will be repeated first, though, as occasionally there are false positive results. If the second test is negative, the pet is healthy.
Cancer is the most frequent reason for a high calcium level. Lymphoma, a lymphatic system cancer, is the cause of about half of canine hypercalcemia cases. Although it typically affects the lymph nodes, lymphoma can also affect the liver, intestine, spleen, heart, brain, spinal cord, or kidneys. High calcium levels can also result from anal gland tumors and, less commonly, other tumors. If cancer is the cause of the calcium issue, blood tests can reveal this.
Hypercalcemia can result from damage to one or more of the neck’s small parathyroid glands. A small benign tumor on the parathyroid gland can produce excessive amounts of hormone, which raises the calcium level. A competent professional may be able to detect these tiny masses on an ultrasound.
About one-third of Addison’s Disease cases have high calcium levels. Addison’s is a disease where too little cortisol is produced. These dogs typically exhibit symptoms of illness, including weakness, vomiting, and diarrhea.
A high level of calcium may result from an excess of vitamin D or similar substances. These are present in some rat baits, human vitamin supplements, and prescription psoriasis medications. Ingesting even a small amount of the prescription psoriasis creams with the brand names Dovonex and Taclonex can result in a pet’s death.
What is Excess Calcium in the Blood?
Many dogs with high blood calcium levels get very ill, but some don’t exhibit any symptoms at all. Although calcium is necessary for vital bodily processes like bone development and muscle contraction, an excess amount may be caused by an underlying illness and also contribute to urolithiasis, which is the development of stones in the kidneys, bladder, or urinary tract. The extent of the harm will depend on how extreme the increase is and how long your pet has had the condition. Having too much calcium in the blood can harm all parts of the body. In order to prevent serious complications that could render your dog very ill, prompt treatment for him is required.
Hypercalcemia is the veterinary term for an excessive amount of calcium in the blood. Although the body needs calcium, having too much of it can indicate the presence of a serious underlying illness like cancer or kidney failure. Youtube Play.
Excess Calcium in the Blood Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $500 – $5,000
Diagnosis of Excess Calcium in the Blood in Dogs
A detailed recent history of the circumstances leading up to the visit will be required by the veterinary team. Be as precise as you can when describing the signs you have seen and the roughly when you started to notice changes in your pet’s behavior and general health.
There are numerous reasons why there is too much calcium in the blood, so the range of possible tests that can be requested is also very wide. First, a thorough physical examination will be performed in order to start analyzing your pet’s health in its entirety.
The following is a list of possible tests used in the diagnostic process.
Blood tests
Assay of PTH or PTHrP
Urinalysis
Imaging Tests
It may also be necessary to use additional diagnostic tools like cytology, biopsy, or histology.
What is hypercalcemia?
When the level of calcium in the blood is higher than normal, it is referred to as hypercalcemia (hyper = “above”; -emia = “blood”).
FAQ
How do you get calcium levels down in dogs?
Diphosphonates can be prescribed to reduce calcium release from the bones. If IV fluids with furosemide don’t produce an adequate response, glucocorticoids like dexamethasone or prednisone may be given. Prednisone and other corticosteroids can reduce calcium absorption.
Can hypercalcemia be cured in dogs?
Even though total serum calcium concentrations may be elevated, the ionized fraction is typically normal in hypercalcemia associated with hypoadrenocorticism. The hypercalcemia resolves quickly with successful treatment for hypoadrenocorticism.
What happens if your dog has too much calcium?
Pets with excessive calcium levels could display signs of weakness, listlessness, increased drinking and urination, and appetite loss. In some animals, chronic hypercalcemia can lead to the development of kidney or bladder stones.
What can I give my dog for high calcium?
- Yogurt. Yogurt is the most significant source of calcium for dogs.
- Cheese. Since cheese is a dairy product, it has a high calcium content.
- Chicken and Fish. Chicken is a great source of protein and has a sufficient amount of calcium.
- Vegetables. …
- Bones.