Symptoms and harms of excessive calcium supplementation in dogs

Oral administration in the short term Excess Calcium

Excess calcium will mostly be excreted through feces, which mainly increases the burden on the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. Except for some dogs that may suffer from minor symptoms such as anorexia, constipation, and indigestion, it is generally More serious reactions will not occur.

Long-term excessive calcium supplementation

1. Cause long-term hypercalciuria disease, increasing the chance of stones forming in the urinary system;
2. Leading to premature calcification of cartilage, premature closure of the anterior fontanelle, forming microcephaly, which restricts the dog’s brain development;
3. Excessive bone growth Premature calcification, premature closure of the epiphysis, affects the development of long bones, and limits terminal height;
4. Too much calcium in the bones makes the bones brittle and prone to fractures;
5. Affects dogs The dog's appetite will affect the intestinal absorption of other nutrients;
6. Excessive calcium in the intestine will inhibit the absorption of divalent ions such as iron and zinc, causing secondary zinc and iron deficiency. It also causes corresponding symptoms such as decreased immunity, anorexia, slow growth, anemia, fatigue, etc. in dogs;
Excessive blood calcium concentration causes calcium to be deposited in the internal organs or tissues. If it is deposited around the cornea, it will affect vision. Deposition on heart valves will affect heart function, and deposition on blood vessel walls will aggravate vascular sclerosis, etc.

How to judge excessive calcium supplementation in dogs

To determine whether a dog is excessively supplemented with calcium, it is currently mainly based on whether there are blind calcium supplements, repeated calcium supplements, and excessive use of vitamin D preparations in the feeding history. This is a prerequisite for diagnosing excessive 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.

Methods to correct excessive calcium supplementation in dogs

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.

Notes on supplementing calcium for dogs

1. The absorption of calcium is the most important
The absorption of calcium is not entirely according to people’s wishes: the more you supplement, the more you absorb; the more you supplement, the more you absorb. The more, the more you absorb. The amount of calcium absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract mainly depends onThe dog's calcium nutritional status at that time is regulated by activated vitamin D hormone, parathyroid hormone and other substances in the baby's 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.
2. Food calcium supplementation is the safest
Generally speaking, food calcium supplementation is safer than drug calcium supplementation. Eating normal food will not cause excessive calcium. In addition to dairy products, soy products, dried shrimps, fish and other foods can also be given as supplements. Sunbathing and outdoor exercise are beneficial to the absorption and utilization of calcium and are one of the safe ways to supplement calcium.