My dog has elevated calcium levels in his blood, is this normal?

Answer by  keiki (1376)

Sometimes dogs can show elevated calcium levels on one blood test but when they have another one a few weeks later the calcium levels are back to normal. If numerous blood tests show elevated calcium, it could be a serious problem. The most common causes for high calcium in dogs are metastatic cancer, kidney failure and hyperparathyroidism.

Answer by  mb (5482)

No. Anytime lab work comes back with the terms "elevated" or "depressed" attached to them something is wrong. This is true of animal and human lab work. Elevated calcium levels could be a number of things. Most likely your dog is getting older and he/she is losing calcium from their bones into their blood.

Answer by  sspugs (496)

The dog should be taken to a vet for a check up. This can be a sign of an abnormal parathyroid gland which regulates calcium levels. Some signs of this are increased urination, thirst, fatigue and lack of appetite. Other causes of elevated calcium levels in the blood could be kidney problems or a cancerous tumor.

Answer by  djcwoman37 (373)

It is okay for your dog to have elevated calcium levels in its blood. What causes the jump is any damage that the liver may have received. However, there is no way of telling how the liver got damaged in the first place. Usually the levels will go back to normal on their own within a few weeks or months.

Answer by  prissymissy (1895)

No this is not normal. If the levels of calcium within his blood are not within normal limits this can mean a lot of things. It is best that you discuss this with your vet. Do not try to remedy it yourself. It would be best that you talk to your vet.

Answer by  quisqualis (1756)

Since all dogs are the same species, the lab test norms apply to all dogs without exception. Elevated calcium in a dog that is not on medication of some sort is an indication that calcium is moving out of the bones. This condition should inspire a trip to the vet.