Canine hypercalcemia is a condition that occurs in dogs when the bones send too much calcium into the blood and body.
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Identification
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A blood test is the initial evaluation to determine the cause of hypercalcemia. If the blood work indicates cancer, then X-rays, a bone marrow sample, an MRI and an ultrasounds will help locate tumors.
Effects
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Excess calcium removed from the bones can cause them to become brittle. It can also overwork and damage the kidneys, which try to reduce the amount in the blood, and result in calcium deposits in the body that cause pain and inflammation.
Cancer
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The most common cause for hypercalcemia in dogs is cancer. Lymphoma, adenocarcinoma of glands in the anal sac and multiple myeloma are the most common cancers, although other tumors may be the cause.
Other Causes
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Kidney failure, Addison's disease, Vitamin D poisoning (including ingestion of some types of rat poisoning) and some toxic house plants, such as Cestrum diurnum and Triestum flavescens, may result in hypercalcemia.
Treatment
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Treatment may include chemotherapy, depending on the cause. Prednisone may help the kidneys remove excess calcium. Hospitalization and intravenous fluids also aid in decreasing damage while the underlying cause is treated.
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