If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
High Calcium Level
Hi,
Our 13 yr old male has a high calcium level. Does anyone have experience with this problem that they can share? The vets say cancer is likely but thus far haven't found a tumor. Another possibility mentioned is a syndrome that results in high calcium level. He has lost a pound in the past 3 months. Over the last two weeks his eating has dropped off and he isn't begging for treats. He has eaten very little today. He's never been a consistent eater but after such a weight loss its a concern. Is there anything we might do to help his appetite? Otherwise than less eating, he isn't showing any obvious symptoms. He is his usual spoiled, demanding self. Out vet seems competent but Tufts Veternary School is only an hour away. Does anyone have any recommendations there? Thanks, Gary |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
High Calcium Level
"Gary Brown" wrote in message ... Hi, Our 13 yr old male has a high calcium level. Does anyone have experience with this problem that they can share? The vets say cancer is likely but thus far haven't found a tumor. Not necessarily. Hypercalcemia is not linked with cancer as closely in cats as it in dogs. Hypercalcemia = cancer is simply an extrapolation from another species. Another possibility mentioned is a syndrome that results in high calcium level. Yeah, its called "Idiopathic hypercalcemia" and its not uncommon in cats. In fact the prevelance seems to be increasing He has lost a pound in the past 3 months. Over the last two weeks his eating has dropped off and he isn't begging for treats. He has eaten very little today. He's never been a consistent eater but after such a weight loss its a concern. Is there anything we might do to help his appetite? Otherwise than less eating, he isn't showing any obvious symptoms. He is his usual spoiled, demanding self. Out vet seems competent but Tufts Veternary School is only an hour away. Does anyone have any recommendations there? If calcium was the only abnormal value, I'd have the calcium panel run again. For some reason, high calcium panels are frequently erroneous- moreso than any other biochemistry test. Also, you might want to consider checking his serum PTH concentration to rule out hyperparathyroidism. Was is phosphorus levels normal or low? How about BUN/creatinine? Phil |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
High Calcium Level
"Gary Brown" wrote in message ... Hi, Our 13 yr old male has a high calcium level. Does anyone have experience with this problem that they can share? The vets say cancer is likely but thus far haven't found a tumor. Another possibility mentioned is a syndrome that results in high calcium level. One of my cats was diagnosed about 3 years ago with a high calcium level. He's still alive and it wasn't from cancer. The vet's first reaction was cancer but said it could also be related to arthritis or kidney disease. In our case it turned out to be a degenerative bone disease. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
High Calcium Level
All of the test you mentioned were taken and were normal.
Calcium tests were taken in October, December, and March and were 12.something. Dr Bari Spielman at Vescone did more tests - abdominal scan, liver and bone marrow samples as well as more blood tests. Because nothing was found and the calcium level has been reasonably constant so we are treating him for "idiopathic". We are giving him Prednisone and electrolytes. His eating has improved but is still off. More on this in another topic. Thanks to you and Fuga for your responses. Any additional thoughts are welcome. Gary |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Chronic Hypoxia of Islet cell results in Diabetes Mellitus (the newest) | Mayklub | Cat health & behaviour | 0 | February 26th 06 05:07 PM |
Chronic Hypoxia of Islet cell results in Diabetes Mellitus | Mayklub | Cat health & behaviour | 0 | February 20th 06 06:44 PM |
Best canned food vs. worst | LemonPops via CatKB.com | Cat health & behaviour | 96 | April 29th 05 09:17 PM |
Canned food - prices | Rhonda | Cat health & behaviour | 179 | November 17th 04 12:17 AM |
Liz's Food recommendations | Steve Crane | Cat health & behaviour | 454 | October 20th 03 08:20 PM |