Can cats live with hypercalcemia?
Idiopathic hypercalcemia is a treatable disease although patients require lifelong therapy and monitoring. Cats with idiopathic hypercalcemia that are diagnosed before evidence of organ damage occur generally enjoy a normal quality of life and survival.
What does it mean if your cat has high calcium?
Why is having high calcium bad for my pet? High calcium levels may signal the presence of serious underlying disease including kidney failure, adrenal gland failure (called Addison’s disease), a parathyroid gland tumor, and some types of cancer.
What do you feed a cat with hypercalcemia?
Canned foods that are high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and don’t contain dl-methionine, phosphoric acid, and ammonium chloride (to avoid acidification) or organ meats and fish oil (rich sources of vitamin D) are suitable for most cats.
Can cat hypocalcemia be cured?
Long-term treatment of hypocalcemia may include supplementing the diet with calcium salts, and administration of vitamin D (tablets, capsules, or liquid), which is used to increase the absorption of calcium from the intestinal tract.
What causes hypercalcemia?
Hypercalcemia complications can include:
- Osteoporosis.
- Kidney stones.
- Kidney failure.
- Nervous system problems.
- Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
How do you treat hypercalcemia in cats?
Depending on what the underlying cause is, treatment may include intravenous (IV) fluids, dietary changes (especially to low calcium diets), surgery (to remove an overactive parathyroid gland), chemotherapy (if diagnosed with cancer), steroids, and numerous other drugs to affect calcium absorption.
Can hypercalcemia cause seizures in cats?
Decreased neuromuscular excitability may lead to signs of generalized weakness, depression, muscle twitching, and seizures. There are many potential causes of hypercalcemia (see Causes of Hypercalcemia in Dogs and Cats.
How much calcium is toxic to cats?
Symptoms may or may not appear in calcium concentrations less than or equal to 15 mg/dL. Concentrations of more than 18 mg/dL can cause life-threatening symptoms.
How can I lower my cats calcium levels?
Specific diets have been shown to be helpful in reducing the calcium levels. Medications called bisphosphonates, which reduce calcium release from the bones can often be used to control the problem. Steroids such as prednisolone can often help too.
What is a good source of calcium for cats?
Ideally, cats should get 1.2 parts calcium for every 1 part of phosphorus. Sources of calcium include bones, dairy, organ tissues, meat and legume plants.