Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Feline Idiopathic Hypercalcaemia Welfare

Idiopathic hypercalcaemia in cats causes mineralisation of soft tissues and kidney damage if untreated, requiring dietary management.

Key Facts

Feline idiopathic hypercalcaemia is increasingly recognised in older cats
High blood calcium causes mineralisation of kidneys, blood vessels, and soft tissues
Dietary management with acidifying diets is the mainstay of treatment
Steroids and bisphosphonates are used in refractory cases
Concurrent CKD complicates management decisions

Welfare Considerations

Elevated blood calcium causes progressive soft tissue mineralisation that damages kidneys and other organs. The condition is often detected incidentally before clinical signs develop, allowing early dietary intervention that can prevent organ damage and associated suffering. Monitoring calcium in cats with concurrent renal disease is particularly important for welfare.

What You Can Do

Monitor blood calcium in cats with CKD or idiopathic hypercalcaemia
Use acidifying diets as first-line management for feline hypercalcaemia
Seek specialist input for complex cases with concurrent renal disease