Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
High calcium levels linked to lung worm infection in three dogs
By Boag, A K et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2005·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hypercalcaemia associated with angiostrongylus vasorum in three dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three dogs were brought in for breathing problems and were found to have high calcium levels in their blood. They were diagnosed with a lung infection caused by a parasite called Angiostrongylus vasorum. After treatment for the infection, both the respiratory issues and the high calcium levels improved. This case highlights the importance of checking for high calcium in dogs with this type of lung infection, as untreated high calcium can harm the kidneys.
People also search for: dog breathing problems · high calcium in dogs · Angiostrongylus vasorum treatment
Abstract
Hypercalcaemia was identified in three dogs that presented primarily for evaluation of respiratory disease. Angiostrongylosis was diagnosed in all three cases and both the respiratory signs and the hypercalcaemia resolved with treatment. Infection with Angiostrongylus vasorum is known to lead to formation of pulmonary granulomata. Granulomatous disease in humans may lead to hypercalcaemia secondary to increased unregulated production of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol by activated macrophages in the granulomata. In one of the three dogs, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol was measured and found to be increased, providing supportive evidence for a similar mechanism in dogs. To the authors' knowledge, hypercalcaemia has not previously been reported in association with angiostrongylosis in dogs. Since prolonged untreated hypercalcaemia may lead to permanent impairment of renal function, dogs with angiostrongylosis should be evaluated for the presence of hypercalcaemia.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15736814/