Elevated blood calcium (hypercalcemia) in cats causes chronic nausea, weakness, and kidney damage if undetected. It is an underdiagnosed condition with significant welfare implications.
Hypercalcemia causes a constellation of unpleasant physical symptoms including nausea, weakness, constipation, and excessive thirst, often for months before diagnosis. Cats with this condition are living with chronic, poorly recognized discomfort. Because the signs are non-specific and develop gradually, they are frequently attributed to normal aging. Annual senior wellness blood panels that include ionized calcium measurement are the most reliable detection method. Early detection before significant kidney damage occurs significantly improves both welfare and prognosis, as kidney damage from hypercalcemia is irreversible.