Dogs:
For hypocalcemia:
a) Calcium gluconate injection: 94 - 140 mg/kg IV slowly to effect (intraperitoneal route may also be used). Monitor respirations and cardiac rate and rhythm during administration.
b) For acute hypocalcemia: Calcium gluconate 10% injection: Warm to body temperature
and give IV at a rate of 50 - 150 mg/kg (0.5 - 1.5 ml/kg) over 20-30 minutes. If
bradycardia develops, halt infusion. Following acute crisis infuse 10 - 15 ml (of a 10% solution) per kg over a 24 hour period. Long term therapy may be accomplished by
increasing dietary calcium and using vitamin D. Calcium lactate may be given orally at a rate of 0.5 - 2 g/day.
c) Calcium gluconate 10% 0.5 - 1.5 ml/kg or calcium chloride 10% 1.5 - 3.5 ml (total) IV slowly over 15 minutes; monitor heart rate or ECG during infusion.
d) For emergency treatment of tetany and seizures secondary to hypoparathyroidism:
Calcium gluconate 10%: 0.5 - 1.5 ml/kg (up to 20 ml) over 15-30 minutes. May repeat
at 6-8 hour intervals or give as continuous infusion at 10 - 15 mg/kg/hour.
For hyperkalemic cardiotoxicity:
a) Secondary to uremic crisis: Correct metabolic acidosis, if present, with sodium bicarbonate (bicarbonate may also be beneficial even if acidosis not present). Calcium gluconate (10%) indicated if serum K+ is > 8 mEq/L. Give at an approximate dose of 0.5 -1 ml/kg over 10-20 minutes; monitor ECG. Rapidly corrects arrhythmias but effects arevery short (10-15 minutes). IV glucose (0.5 - 1 g/kg body weight with or without insulin) also beneficial in increasing intracellular K+ concentrations.
