Print
Treatment
Generally, hypocalcemia is corrected through calcium supplementation therapy under close monitoring, so as to prevent side-effects related to calcium overload. Your veterinarian will also monitor the electrocardiogram data (EKG) because calcium has a direct effect on heart and significant calcium level changes leads to abnormal EKG findings.
After intravenous calcium therapy, your veterinarian may like to continue calcium supplementation for an extended period of time to prevent relapse. In addition, severe cases of hypocalcemia may require extended hospital stays.
Living and Management
In cases with transitory hypocalcemia, the initial calcium therapy will generally resolve the problem. However, if the hypocalcemia was due to a serious health problem, it will need to be treated further to prevent future episodes. Hypocalcemia due to nutrition and parturition (the act of giving birth) may also require further action.
If your dog's hypocalcemia is related to nutrition, for example, your veterinarian will make new dietary recommendations. While bitches that have recently given birth may be separated from their puppies. In these cases, the puppies can be nursed by hand until the dog's hypocalcemia has properly been addressed.
parathyroid gland
The name for four glands that are located on the top of the thyroid gland that help to regulate the amount of calcium in the blood
pancreatitis
A medical condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed
parturition
Labor; giving birth
pancreas
A gland that aids in both digestive and insulin functions
systemic
Something that is related to the whole body and not just one particular part or organ
urinalysis
An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness
thyroidectomy
The removal of all of the thyroid gland or just part of it through surgical means
lipase
An enzyme charged with digesting fat
ionized
Something with an electrical charge
anemia
A condition of the blood in which normal red blood cell counts or hemoglobin are lacking.
amylase
Term used to refer to a certain enzyme that the pancreas creates to help in the digestion of certain starches.
albumin
A type of protein that can be dissolved in water; found in milk, egg white, certain muscle, blood, and some urine.
density
a) Mass per volume b) The number of animals in a given area
electrocardiogram
A record of the activity of the myocardium
hypocalcemia
A low level of calcium in the blood
gait
The term used to describe the movement of an animal
enema
Introducing fluid into the rectum of a living thing
acute
Term used to imply that a situation or condition is more severe than usual; also used to refer to a disease having run a short course or come on suddenly.