Hypocalcemia in Small Animals (Parker)

Question 1

What is the list of differential diagnoses for hypocalcemia in dogs and cats?

Answer 1

• Primary Hypoparathyroidism
• Eclampsia
• Malabsorption - Intestinal disease
  - Hypoalbuminemia
• Pancreatitis (often mild hypocalcemia)
• Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
  - Nutritional, renal

Question 2

is an emergency medical condition associated with a life-threatening drop in blood calcium levels that occurs in nursing mothers

Answer 2

Eclampsia

Question 3

• Absolute or relative deficiency of PTH
• Usually immune-mediated destruction
  - may result from iatrogenic removal
• Young to middle-aged dogs
  - average age of about 4-5 years old
  What is this describing?

Answer 3

Hypoparathyroidism

Question 4

What are the clinical signs of HypoPTH?

Answer 4

• Neuromuscular signs
  - Muscle tremors, fasciculations
  - Seizures, tetany
• Facial rubbing

Question 5

What are the treatment options for HypoPTH?

Answer 5

• Acute therapy (if hypocalcemic tetany)
  - 10% calcium gluconate IV slowly to effect
  - Monitor ECG for bradycardia, VPCs
• Long-term therapy
  - Calcitriol (active vitamin D) +/- calcium short-term

Question 6

What is the 2 differential diagnosis for episodic weakness?

Answer 6

• Hypoglycemia
• Hypocalcemia

Question 7

• Typically occurs during the first 3 weeks of lactation
• Results from excessive calcium loss in milk
  - decreased intake may contribute
• Most commonly affects small dogs
  - large litters
• Hypomagnesemia may worsen tetany
  What is this describing?

Answer 7

Eclampsia

Question 8

(T/F) You cannot differentiate between primary hyperPTH and renal secondary hyperPTH based on the PTH and ionized calcium panel alone

Answer 8

True

Question 9

What would be the definitive diagnosis for renal hyperPTH?

Answer 9

Presence of CKD + increased PTH

Question 10

(T/F) Renal hyperPTH can actually be treated very well

Answer 10

False