Calcium is crucial to forming and growing our pets’ bones like human beings. Calcium is essential in developing bones and muscle development, wound healing, and transfer of nerve impulses.
Insufficient levels of calcium inside the body, known as hypocalcemia, could cause a variety of health issues, including muscle weakness and behavioral changes. If this happens, your pet is at a higher risk of injury.
What Causes Hypocalcemia in Pets?
Hypocalcemia could be caused by various causes related to a range of serious medical diseases. Lethargy and weakness are frequent symptoms for pets with low calcium levels, which makes it challenging to take care of them. Pets might experience seizures or convulsions under more challenging situations. Alongside these, hypocalcemia can be caused by any of the following:
Hypoparathyroidism
The parathyroid gland performs a crucial role in regulating the calcium levels in our body. The removal of the parathyroid gland could result in the level of calcium dropping in the body of your pet. It might be necessary for cancer or an overactive parathyroid causing hypercalcemia.
Following surgery, calcium levels should be monitored closely, and calcium supplements need to be considered as part of the treatment program.
Kidney Failure
Research suggests that a deficiency could cause vascular calcification and bone disease in calcium. Research involving thousands of dogs has shown that low blood calcium levels are associated with the early beginning of kidney failure in dogs than those who have normal calcium levels.
Bones are built and maintained through vitamin D and calcium that protect the body from calcium deficiency. The calcium that your pet ingests is wasted if the pet isn’t getting adequate vitamin D.
Low Body Protein
It’s the most common reason for low levels of calcium. If the protein levels in a dog are low, your body’s levels of calcium could decrease. The deficiency of protein is usually due to digestive or endocrine issues. Research has revealed that low protein intake affects calcium absorption within the intestines. It may also lead to dental health problems for your pet; click here to learn more.
Poisoning
Some toxins could result in low levels of calcium in the body. Antifreeze is the most deadly substance that can cause a decrease in calcium levels in the body (otherwise called Ethylene glycol). It can cause renal failure that is rapid for dogs, even if only small amounts of antifreeze are inhaled or consumed by dogs.
Ethylene glycol’s metabolism can cause acute and temporary hypocalcemia. Antifreeze rarely triggers signs of hypocalcemia in the clinical sense. If your pet needs immediate medical attention, take it to a vet near you or type in your browser “orthopedic veterinarian near me” to have it examined.
How Is Hypocalcemia Treated?
The symptoms of hypocalcemia, in some cases, can disappear on their own and don’t require any medical intervention. However, hypocalcemia can be life-threatening in certain circumstances. If your pet suffers from a severe case of calcium deficiency, the vet is likely to prescribe supplements to help overcome the deficiencies.
The majority of hypoglycemia can be treated by altering your pet’s diet. Vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium food supplements can help be used to treat the disease. Vitamin D levels could be increased through time spent in the sunlight. The needs of each pet differ about exposure to the sun. Additionally, an animal hospital in Pico Rivera, CA, may recommend an eating plan rich in calcium to ease symptoms.
Conclusion
Fortunately, supplements can improve the chance of recovery from hypocalcemia. A balanced diet can lead to a healthier pet, and calcium plays an essential component in a range of bodily activities. Although it’s easy to get carried away with calcium supplements and similar, it is necessary to look back and see the amount of calcium you’re feeding your dog.
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