Feline Hypocalcemia
In almost every case is the result of low calcium levels



Is there any real connection with feline hypocalcemia and the minerals calcium and phosphorus, or is this just another myth?

Your pets mineral content is made up primarily of these two minerals and with the largest amounts found in their bones and their teeth, and they are not only necessary, they are critical.

They are also so intertwined with each other both in the metabolic stages of your pet’s body, but also the nutrition functions that they will provide, that you must consider them inseparable from each other.

WHAT EXACTLY IS FELINE HYPOCALCEMIA ?

While there are very few reported cases of phosphorus deficiencies in either dogs or cats, calcium deficiency is just the opposite.

In fact, in nursing or breeding female cats or dogs, a deficiency of calcium can cause eclampsia, also known as Feline Hypocalcemia, which can be an extremely serious situation for your pet.

While this condition is not as common as the condition is in dogs, it is definitely caused by low calcium levels. it is also most likely to occur in your female cat if she has a large litter.

Blue Eyes in catsCalcium is critical with Feline Hypocalcemia

THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The initial signs of Feline Hypocalcemia  will be restlessness, rapid breathing, an uncoordinated gait, and then a very high and very dangerous fever.

Once this sets in, the muscle tissues in her face will become so tight it will expose the teeth.

In this stage she will lapse into full body spasms, and if severe enough, paralysis.

It is so critical that she will have to be taken immediately to your veterinarian for a full calcium replacement therapy, is she has any chance at all of surviving.

If she does survive Feline Hypocalcemia, she will then have to take regular doses of vitamins and mineral so insure health from that point.

In dogs, this condition is referred to as milk fever, and is much more common.

It is an acute and life threatening condition that usually sets in about 3 weeks after nursing, and is much more common in small breeds that have large litters.

The symptoms of this condition in dogs are much the same as in cats, where initially your dog will have developed relentless and then stiffness.

A high fever will quickly follow, as well as rapid heartbeats, and then a total loss of interest in her puppies.

In the most severe of cases, both muscle spasms and fevers will come on rapidly, and she will be unable to walk at all.

As with cats, this is an extremely dangerous situation, and your dog must have intravenous calcium supplements is she is to survive.

THE LEVELS MUST BE ADEQUATE

For the correct nutritional levels in your pet to be reached with these minerals, they must be present in the food that you feed them not only in adequate amounts, but also the proper ratios.

The optimal ratio of these critical minerals for your pets is 1.2 parts of calcium to 1 part of phosphorus.

When the dietary intake is either too high or too low, the absorption functions in the intestines battle each other.

In most cases, an all meat diet in wither your cat or your dog will not supply this proper ratio mix, and as a result, supplementation will be required.

Both growing dogs as well as females with need to be supplemented with both minerals to insure proper levels, and you should check with your veterinarian in both cases.

The bones in your pet’s body use both calcium and phosphorus as their structural foundations, as well as serving as storage for reserves, which is critical for your pets.

Both of these minerals are used in the ossification process of converting the cartilages to calcified bone in the growth process.

Calcium is also instrumental in your pet’s bodies to help in preventing blood clotting, maintaining normal heart rates, and transmitting nerve impulses properly.

It also helps to eliminate lead and other heavy metal potential poisoning that either your fog or cat may encounter.

Phosphorus is required by your pet, as suggested in the ratio requirement, at lower levels than calcium, and a deficiency of this mineral is very uncommon in cats or dogs.

However, too much phosphorous, if not balanced properly with calcium, can accelerate the progression of renal failure.

Renal failure, or kidney failure, is most common in older cats, but can also occur in dogs.

Early symptoms of this condition will include increased thirst and urination as the kidneys are unable to produce concentrated urine.

Just like us, your dog or your cat is what they eat, or what they are supplemented with.

If your pet is on a meat only diet, it will be extremely important for you to properly supplement them with both of these minerals to keep the proper ratio in check.

Summary

You should always check with your veterinarian before providing supplements.

However they are a must in most dogs and cats to maintain the proper nutritional mix, and to fight against Feline Hypocalcemia and Milk Fever.

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