Overview:
Calcium
is the most abundant mineral found in the body, approximately 99% is found
in bone & the remaining 1% in extracellular fluid
(fluid found outside of the cells and between the cells in body tissues). It
is essential for several functions including providing strength to bones &
teeth, cardiac function, proper nerve impulses & muscle contractions, blood
clotting. It is stored in the skeleton & released as it is required. In
combination with phosphorous, it forms calcium phosphate, the dense, hard
material of bones & teeth.
Hypocalcemia is too low a level of calcium in the blood and is
a major clinical manifestations of
hypoparathyroidism (a condition
caused by the reduction or absence of secretions of the parathyroid gland).
The parathyroid glands are small endocrine (hormone producing) glands
located in the neck behind the thyroid gland. They produce parathyroid
hormone (PTH) which is responsible for increasing calcium levels in the
blood. This is done by increasing calcium absorption from the digestive
tract, taking calcium from the bones & suppressing calcium loss from urine.
Other causes of low blood calcium levels include; eclampsia or milk fever
(seen in lactating females), dietary insufficiency, bone tumour, phosphate
enemas,
pancreatitis,
chronic kidney failure,
antifreeze poisoning &
Cushing's disease.
What are the symptoms?
-
Restlessness
-
Neuromuscular irritability such as
nervousness, whiskers twitching, facial rubbing, tetany (involuntary
muscle contractions)
-
Lethargy
-
Stiff legged gait
-
Panting
-
Increased respiration rate
-
Anorexia
-
Fever
-
Convulsions
How is it diagnosed?
Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination of your cat &
obtain a medical history from you. Tests he may perform include;
Biochemical profile: This should reveal low blood serum calcium levels. It
may also reveal the cause such as kidney failure.
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) test to check hormone
levels.
He may wish to perform further diagnostic tests to determine the cause of
the hypocalcemia.
How is it treated?
Emergency:
Maintenance:
-
Vitamin D assists in the absorption of
calcium, and therefore may also be given.
-
Once the cat has stabilised, oral
administration of calcium gluconate.
-
ECG to check for cardiac abnormalities
-
Treat the underlying cause.
Please note:
The medical
articles on this site have not been written by a
veterinarian & should not be considered a replacement for a
veterinarian visit. The articles are provided for
informative purposes only.
Always seek
immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or
behavioral) in your pets.
While great
care has been made in the creation of these articles, we
cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages.
If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical
advice.
