Calcium Salts
Also known as: AmTech Calcium Gluconate, Cal-Nate 1069, Cal Supreme Gel, Clearcal 50, Pet-Cal, Osteoform
### For Pet Owners * **Purpose:** Calcium supplements are used to treat low blood calcium levels, which can cause muscle twitching, weakness, or seizures (especially in nursing mothers, a condition called eclampsia or 'milk fever'). * **Administration:** If giving oral calcium, follow your veterinarian's instructions exactly. Do not give with certain antibiotics (like tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones) as calcium can block their absorption. Separate doses by at least 2 hours. * **Side Effects:** Oral calcium can sometimes cause stomach upset or constipation. * **Warning:** Never give human calcium supplements or antacids without consulting your veterinarian, as the dose and formulation may not be safe for your pet. If your pet is receiving injectable calcium at the clinic, they will be closely monitored, as giving it too fast can affect the heart.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Hypocalcemia
- Hypocalcemia
- Hypocalcemia
- Hypocalcemia
- Hypocalcemia
- Acute hypocalcemia secondary to hypoparathyroidism
- Hypocalcemia secondary to phosphate enema toxicity or puerperal tetany
- Emergency treatment of hypocalcemia
- Hypocalcemia
- Hypocalcemia
- Hypocalcemia
- Hypocalcemia
- Hypocalcemia
- Lactation tetany
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Hypercalcemia
- GI irritation and/or constipation (oral administration)
- Mild to severe tissue reactions, pyogranulomatous panniculitis, adipocyte mineralization (IM or SC administration)
- Venous irritation (IV administration)
- Hypotension (if given IV too rapidly)
- Cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest (if given IV too rapidly)
Cautions & contraindications
- Ventricular fibrillation
- Hypercalcemia
- > **WARNING:** Intravenous calcium must be administered **SLOWLY** while continuously monitoring the ECG and/or heart rate. Too rapid administration can cause fatal arrhythmias, bradycardia, hypotension, and cardiac arrest. If bradycardia or Q-T interval shortening occurs, halt the infusion immediately. * **Extravasation Risk:** Calcium salts (especially calcium chloride) are highly irritating. Perivascular administration can cause severe tissue necrosis. If extravasation occurs, stop infusion, infiltrate with normal saline, apply heat, and consider local corticosteroids or 1% procaine/hyaluronidase. * **Subcutaneous Use:** While historically used SC in dogs/cats, it is now known to cause severe tissue reactions (pyogranulomatous panniculitis, mineralization) and should be used with extreme caution or avoided if possible. * **Acid-Base/Renal:** Calcium chloride is acidifying; use with caution in respiratory failure, respiratory acidosis, or renal disease.
Drug interactions
- Calcium Channel Blockers (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil): Intravenous calcium may antagonize the effects of calcium-channel blocking agents.
- Digoxin: Patients on digitalis therapy are more apt to develop arrhythmias if receiving IV calcium; use with extreme caution.
- Magnesium (oral): May lead to increased serum magnesium and/or calcium, particularly in patients with renal failure.
- Magnesium Sulfate (parenteral): Parenteral calcium can neutralize the effects of hypermagnesemia or magnesium toxicity secondary to parenteral magnesium sulfate.
- Neuromuscular Blockers (e.g., atracurium, vecuronium, tubocurarine): Parenteral calcium may reverse the effects of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents; has been reported to prolong or enhance the effects of tubocurarine.
- Tetracyclines, Fluoroquinolones (oral): Oral calcium can reduce the amount of these antibiotics absorbed from the GI tract via chelation; separate dosages by at least two hours.
- Potassium Supplements: Patients receiving both parenteral calcium and potassium supplementation may have an increased chance of developing cardiac arrhythmias.
- Thiazide Diuretics: Used in conjunction with large doses of calcium may cause hypercalcemia.
- Vitamin A: Excessive intake may stimulate calcium loss from bone and cause hypercalcemia.
Frequently asked questions
What is Calcium Salts used for in pets?
### For Pet Owners * **Purpose:** Calcium supplements are used to treat low blood calcium levels, which can cause muscle twitching, weakness, or seizures (especially in nursing mothers, a condition called eclampsia or 'milk fever'). * **Administration:** If giving oral calcium, follow your veterinarian's instructions exactly. Do not give with certain antibiotics (like tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones) as calcium can block their absorption. Separate doses by at least 2 hours. * **Side Effects:** Oral calcium can sometimes cause stomach upset or constipation. * **Warning:** Never give human calcium supplements or antacids without consulting your veterinarian, as the dose and formulation may not be safe for your pet. If your pet is receiving injectable calcium at the clinic, they will be closely monitored, as giving it too fast can affect the heart.
Is Calcium Salts safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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