In the process of pet raising, we always hope to give our dogs the best care to ensure their healthy growth. Calcium is crucial for a dog's bone development, muscle function, and the normal operation of the nervous system. However, just like everything has an appropriate limit, calcium intake is no exception. When dogs consume too much calcium, it may trigger a series of concerning symptoms that have a negative impact on their health.
The most intuitive and obvious impact of excessive calcium on dogs often manifests in the bones. A dog's bones may calcify prematurely, causing the growth plates in the bones to close prematurely. It's like suddenly pressing the stop button on a high-rise building under construction, hindering the normal growth and shaping of the bones. The bones that should have grown stronger and more evenly as the dog ages may develop deformities. For example, a dog's leg bones may become bent, and instead of walking briskly and powerfully, it may limp. This not only affects their mobility but also causes them to endure physical pain during daily activities. How heartbroken and anxious the owner must feel when seeing their dog having difficulty moving due to bone problems.
The urinary system is also severely affected by excessive calcium intake. An excessive amount of calcium can increase the concentration of calcium in the urine, greatly increasing the risk of urinary tract stones formation. When stones gradually form and move in a dog's urinary system, the dog will show obvious discomfort. They may frequently assume the urination posture but can only excrete a small amount of urine, and there may even be blood in the urine. Just imagine that every time a dog tries to urinate, it is accompanied by pain. The look of helplessness and suffering is really heart-wrenching for the owner. Moreover, if urinary tract stones are not treated in a timely manner, it may lead to urinary system infections, further damaging the dog's kidney function and posing a serious threat to their life and health.
The digestive system can't stay unaffected either when there is an excess of calcium. Dogs may experience a loss of appetite. Once they were enthusiastic about food and would get excited at the sound of mealtime, but now they show no interest even in their favorite food. This is because excessive calcium can interfere with the absorption of other nutrients, leading to gastrointestinal dysfunction in dogs. They may also vomit and have diarrhea frequently, and their originally healthy stomach and intestines become extremely fragile. Watching the dog losing weight day by day, the owner tries every means to prepare all kinds of delicious food, but still can't make the dog regain its former appetite. The feeling of helplessness and worry is really indescribable.
Excessive calcium may also affect a dog's cardiovascular system. A high concentration of calcium in the blood will increase the burden on the heart, and the heart needs to work harder to maintain blood circulation. This may cause abnormal heart rates in dogs, sometimes too fast and sometimes too slow. During a dog's daily activities, it may show symptoms such as rapid breathing and easy fatigue. A dog that was originally lively and fond of running and playing may now be out of breath after a little exercise, as if its body is bound by something heavy. When taking the dog for a walk, the owner is filled with doubts and unease at seeing the dog in such a state, not knowing what's wrong with it.
The nervous system will also be affected by excessive calcium. Dogs may become listless, lose interest in their surroundings, no longer be as curious as before, and respond slowly to their owner's calls. In severe cases, symptoms such as convulsions may even occur. When seeing the dog suddenly having uncontrolled convulsions, the owner's heart must be filled with fear and helplessness, wishing they could bear all the pain for the dog.
As dog owners, we always hope to create a healthy and happy living environment for them. However, the problem of excessive calcium may occur inadvertently. Therefore, we must always pay attention to the dog's physical condition, understand their dietary situation, and ensure that the calcium intake is just right. Once we find that the dog has the above symptoms that may be related to excessive calcium, we must take them to see a veterinarian in a timely manner. The veterinarian can determine the dog's physical condition through professional examinations and diagnoses and provide the most suitable treatment plan. Because dogs are important companions in our lives, they bring us endless joy and companionship, and we have the responsibility to do our best to protect their health so that they can accompany us for a longer time.
Owners are often anxious when they find that their dog's abdomen is swollen, slow to move, and in pain due to fluid accumulation. When medical conditions are limited or while waiting for professional treatment,
When we see the dog constantly scratching and biting its skin, making its originally smooth fur messy, and even leaving scratch marks on the skin,
When you see your dog scratching his skin constantly, and his smooth fur becomes red, swollen, and even ulcerated, your owner's heart aches as if being grabbed.
Watching the dog suffer from constipation, frequently assuming the defecation posture but having difficulty defecating,
Looking at the dog that used to be lively and energetic, now curled up in the corner, coughing painfully from time to time, breathing rapidly and heavily, and the pair of bright eyes that were once bright were also covered with a layer of dimness.
When we see the dog suffering from difficult defecation, our hearts are filled with anxiety and distress. In the process of finding a solution,
