What are the symptoms of calcium deficiency in dogs?

Symptoms of calcium deficiency in dogs:

1. Bone deformation: If young dogs are deficient in calcium, they are prone to rib valgus, forelimb wrist and elbow joint deformation, and adult dogs are prone to "O"-shaped legs and forelimb deformation. For some dogs prone to intervertebral disc diseases, such as pugs, poodles, etc., if they lack calcium during the important period of intervertebral disc formation at 2 to 3 months, they will attack after adulthood and become a lifelong pain.

2. Slow tooth growth: Dogs start to grow permanent teeth when they are 4 to 6 months old, and the deciduous teeth in the mouth begin to fall off at the same time. At this time, calcium deficiency will lead to slow growth of wisdom teeth, deciduous teeth not falling out, thin tooth enamel layer, and weak tooth structure. It is easy to grow double rows of teeth or uneven permanent teeth. These dogs are prone to diseases such as bad breath and gingivitis in adulthood.

3. Limb twitching: postpartum dogs are prone to acute postpartum calcium deficiency due to low blood calcium concentration. Dogs have twitching limbs, general stiffness, difficulty breathing, and inability to stand. The body temperature can rise above 40°C, and even cause coma and die.

4. Easy to fracture: Calcium deficiency in dogs will cause osteoporosis. At this time, the bones become fragile, which will increase the incidence of bone spurs and fractures in dogs.

Causes of calcium deficiency in dogs:

1. Unbalanced dietary nutrition ratio: If the dog is fed a single food for a long time, the nutritional ratio in the food is unbalanced, and the calcium content is insufficient, which will lead to calcium deficiency in the dog.

2. Weak self-absorption capacity: If the dog has taken in enough calcium in the daily diet, but cannot absorb enough calcium due to its weak self-absorption capacity, it will also lead to calcium deficiency in the dog.

3. The conversion of calcium in the body is not good: Although some dogs have absorbed the calcium in the food, due to the poor conversion of calcium in the body, the calcium will be excreted from the body, resulting in calcium deficiency.

4. Long-term consumption of animal liver foods: Animal livers contain high concentrations of vitamin A. If dogs are fed animal liver foods for a long time, it is easy to cause excessive intake of vitamin A. Too much vitamin A inhibits the dog's absorption of vitamin D, and when the dog lacks vitamin D, it can also lead to calcium deficiency.