Hypocalcaemia in cats can cause life-threatening muscle tetany and seizures, most commonly following parathyroid gland removal during thyroid surgery.
Hypocalcaemia tetany is a medical emergency causing severe pain, muscle cramping, inability to move, seizures, and death if untreated. Cats recovering from thyroidectomy who develop hypocalcaemia rapidly deteriorate - often within 24-72 hours - and require emergency intravenous calcium. Post-operative monitoring for signs of hypocalcaemia (facial twitching, muscle stiffness, lethargy) is essential after thyroid surgery. Preventing accidental parathyroid damage through careful surgical technique and routinely monitoring post-surgical calcium levels dramatically reduces welfare harm. With appropriate supplementation, most affected cats achieve good quality of life, though lifelong management is required.