At what level should hypercalcemia be treated?
In patients with moderate hypercalcemia (12 to 14 mg/dL) and symptoms, specific treatment is necessary. Patients with moderate calcium level elevation but no symptoms may only need adequate hydration. Patients with calcium levels higher than 14 mg/dL should be treated aggressively, regardless of symptoms.
Is Fosamax worth the risk?
Some studies have shown that Fosamax may be more effective than other bisphosphonates such as risedronate at increasing bone mineral density and reducing bone turnover without a higher risk of side effects. Depending on the condition being treated and the dosage used, Fosamax may be taken once daily or once weekly.
Why is feline idiopathic hypercalcemia an increasing problem?
Feline Idiopathic Hypercalcemia is an increasing problem rather than just an increasing recognition of an old problem. It is not understood what causes it or why it is becoming prevalent. Many experts believe that acidifying, magnesium-restricted diets lead to IHC in genetically predisposed cats, perhaps due to the calcium resorption from bones.
How can I Help my Cat with hypercalcemia?
Although, little research has produced any definitive solutions, diet change and/or additional medications may help to delay or halt its deleterious effects on the cat’s kidneys and other organ systems. With proper management, many cats lead happy normal lives for many years after initial diagnosis.
Is there a cure for normocalcemia in cats?
However, even in cats that show an initial response to dietary intervention, the duration of normocalcemia may be short-lived and the hypercalcemia can relapse. In these cats, I then turn to medical therapy (i.e., glucocorticoids or bisphosphonates) to help control the hypercalcemia.
How often should I give my Cat alendronate?
Like you, I start with an initial oral dose of 10 mg per week, and then gradually increase the dose based on ionized calcium concentrations monitored at 4-6 week intervals (4). This treatment protocol will restore normocalcemia in over two-thirds of the hypercalcemic cats treated with an average weekly dose of 15 mg (4).
Feline Idiopathic Hypercalcemia is an increasing problem rather than just an increasing recognition of an old problem. It is not understood what causes it or why it is becoming prevalent. Many experts believe that acidifying, magnesium-restricted diets lead to IHC in genetically predisposed cats, perhaps due to the calcium resorption from bones.
How is alendronate used to treat idiopathic hypercalcemia in cats?
This is the first reported case of the use of oral bisphosphonate, alendronate, in the successful long-term management of idiopathic hypercalcemia in a cat (9). The bisphosphonates are a group of drugs that inhibit bone resorption and are the standard therapy for malignant humoral hypercalcemia in human patients (10).
What causes high intestinal calcium levels in cats?
Corticosteroids – this class of steroid reduces both bone resorption and intestinal calcium absorption, as well as increases excretion of calcium by the kidneys The take-away message about hypercalcemia in cats…
How can you tell if a cat has hypercalcemia?
Cats are often asymptomatic especially in the early stages of the disease. Therefore, this condition is typically not clinically recognized, as cats with progressed renal disease usually show a high blood calcium level. It should be noted that kidney failure causes hypercalcemia and hypercalcemia causes kidney failure.