Excessive calcium supplementation can cause illness in dogs

If too much calcium is taken orally in a short period of time, most of the excess calcium will be excreted through feces, which mainly increases the burden on the dog's gastrointestinal tract. Except for some dogs, Except for mild symptoms such as anorexia, constipation, and indigestion, more serious reactions generally do not occur. Excessive calcium supplementation for a long time may cause the following harms:

Causing long-term hypercalciuria increases the chance of stone formation in the urinary system;

Resulting in premature calcification of cartilage and premature closure of the anterior fontanel, resulting in microcephaly, which restricts the dog's brain development;

Premature calcification of bones, premature epiphyseal closure, affecting the development of long bones, and limiting terminal height;

If there is too much calcium in the bones, the bones will become brittle and prone to fractures;

Affects the dog’s appetite, thereby affecting the intestinal absorption of other nutrients;

Excessive calcium in the intestine will inhibit the absorption of iron, zinc and other divalent ions, causing secondary zinc and iron deficiency, and leading to reduced immunity, anorexia, slow growth, anemia, fatigue and other consequences in dogs. symptoms.

If the blood calcium concentration is too high, calcium will be deposited in the internal organs or tissues. If it is deposited around the cornea, it will affect vision. If it is deposited on the heart valve, it will affect the heart function. If it is deposited on the blood vessel wall, it will aggravate vascular sclerosis.

How to judge excessive calcium supplementation

To judge whether a dog has excessive calcium supplementation, it is currently mainly based on whether there are blind calcium supplementation, repeated calcium supplementation and excessive use of vitamin D preparations in the feeding history. This is the diagnosis. A prerequisite for excess calcium. Secondly, it is combined with bone X-ray to check whether there is advanced bone age, abnormal tissue calcification and whether the urine calcium level is too high.

How to correct excessive calcium

Once excessive calcium is found, calcium supplementation should be stopped or the dosage of calcium supplementation should be adjusted in time. Usually, as long as the dosage of calcium supplement and vitamin D is appropriately adjusted, the symptoms of excessive calcium will disappear quickly. However, once bone calcification forms, there is often no good way to eliminate it. Avoiding excessive calcium and vitamin D preparations may be the best way to delay further calcification.

Calcium absorption is the most important

The absorption of calcium is not entirely according to people's wishes: how much is supplemented, the more is absorbed; the more supplemented, the more absorbed. The amount of calcium absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract mainly depends on the dog's calcium nutritional status at that time, as well as the regulation of activated vitamin D hormone, parathyroid hormone and other substances in the body.

Vitamin D can promote intestinal absorption of calcium. When vitamin D is deficient, no matter how much calcium is supplemented, it cannot be absorbed well. Vitamin D can also inhibit the excretion of calcium by the kidneys and promote the decalcification of old bones.

Food calcium supplement is the safest

Generally speaking, food calcium supplement is safer than drug supplement. Eating normal food will not cause excessive calcium. Except dairy products, you can also give your dog soy products, dried shrimps, fish and other foods to supplement it. Sunbathing and outdoor exercise are beneficial to the absorption and utilization of calcium and are one of the safe ways to supplement calcium.