High Calcium

[LindaR]

Aspen Skye, my 6 yo Australian Shepherd, had a senior bloodwork panel on 11/25/2024 as a two-month check in post seizures. Her calcium level was high. What can I do for her? The conventional vet also said she had crystals in her urine results.

She is happy, eats well and stays hydrated. She eats 1/4 c Steve’s Raw Beef Food and 1/4 c Badlands Ranch Beef superfood twice a day. She gets Badlands Super 20 and Milk Thistle for Dogs - 1/8 tsp each x2 /day.

She has lost 5.6 lbs since putting her on the new raw diet and currently weighs 70.9 lbs. she has energy and is playful.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Hey Linda!

That is fantastic to hear about Aspen's high BEAM (what's her BEAM score where 10/10 is 100%% normal?)!

I also applaud Dr. Riley for considering atypical Addison's as a cause for the hypercalcemia. Not many vets know about my work with Dr. Peterson where this connection was discovered.

Hypercalcemia associated with hypoadrenocorticism in sixteen dogs - PubMed

During a 3-year-period, hypercalcemia was found in 16 (28%) of 62 dogs with hypoadrenocorticism. Thirteen of the dogs were hypercalcemic at the time of diagnosis, whereas hypercalcemia developed at relapse during maintenance corticosteroid therapy in 3 dogs. The severity of hypercalcemia...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brava as well for normalizing some of her other biochemical values (such as her albumin) by upgrading her diet.

You may also want to rule out hypothyroidism with a free t4 since her screening t4 has been persistently low.

Hypothyroidism and hypercalcemia: report of a case with a parathyroid adenoma and review of the literature - PubMed

A woman with hyperthyroidism, hypercalcemia, and a parathyroid adenoma is described. Various studies indicate that in hypothyroid subjects given an acute dose of calcium, the serum calcium levels remain elevated for longer periods than in control subjects. In part, this may be due to diminished...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

I agree with Dr. Riley that further diagnostics are indicated next. Perhaps also a consultation with a vet internist or oncologist.

 

[LindaR]

Her BEAM would be an 8/10… she is about 80% normal.