Hypocalcemia

 

We have been enjoying a lovely early Spring here. Sunny weather in the 70's. No crazy freezing cold weather. It just couldn't get better. Both girls were doing great.

Then all of a sudden last weekend, Hailey wasn't well. Couldn't keep anything down and she was doing this odd tripping thing with her back legs, yet she was still her happy self never acting sick. Wanting to eat everything. 

A Vet check Monday morning was all good. Heart sounded good and her overall check was fine. Our Vet said the only odd thing was that when they were bringing her back to us from the back, all four of her legs went out from under her and she couldn't get up. Once he helped her up, she trotted along to us. As we waited for her results, I noticed her tripping more and having more difficulties walking. Blood tests results that we received Tuesday, showed that her calcium was low. These results also showed that she has Cushing's and Pancreatitis. She was showing no clinical signs of Cushing's so nothing would be started on that front unless she starts drinking a lot of water and urinating a lot. Outside of an upset tummy, she was not acting like she had Pancreatitis but we went ahead and moved her to Royal Canin gastrointestinal low fat dry food just to be safe. Since Addie suffered from it, we know exactly what that looks like.

Since her calcium was low, we immediately contacted her thyroid doctor who wanted to see her immediately. As we were leaving for her appointment, she was having the most trouble walking. Dr Burney at VSNT checked her over and did a specific blood test checking her ionized calcium which had dropped to .99. The normal range is 1.18 - 1.37. He said it was Hypocalcemia that was causing her weakness which is why she was tripping and having a difficult time walking. He found no other issues outside of the low calcium. He said if it would have been just a bit lower, he would have admitted her. He said that he has seen this happen before. The dog is doing great and then the calcium just drops. No rhyme or reason to it. He increased her calcitriol to help correct her calcium.

Dr. Burney said the increase would take 2-3 days to see a change in her. Tuesday evening was her worst evening. She hardly walked at all and at times I could see she wanted to walk but couldn't. It was awful. But the next morning she was already improving and by the next day she was doing so well again.

Taken today, one week after Hailey started to not feel well. 

Well done, Hailey!