Open AccessTreatment of Ionized Hypercalcemia in 12 Cats (2006–2008) Using PO‐Administered Alendronate
Author(s) -
Hardy B.T.,
Brito Galvao J.F.,
Green T.A.,
Braudaway S.R.,
DiBartola S.P.,
Lord L.,
Chew D.J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/jvim.12507
Subject(s) - cats , medicine , adverse effect , calcium metabolism , prospective cohort study , calcium
Background Long‐term treatment of cats with ionized hypercalcemia using alendronate has not been evaluated. Hypothesis/Objectives Alendronate is well tolerated in treatment of ionized hypercalcemia in cats. Animals A total of 12 cats with ionized hypercalcemia. Methods Prospective study of 12 cats with ionized hypercalcemia of idiopathic origin was identified by telephone and email communication with a convenience sample of consulting veterinarians. Cats were treated with alendronate at a dose of 5–20 mg per feline PO q7d. Serum ionized calcium concentration ( iC a) was measured before beginning treatment with alendronate, and after 1, 3, and 6 months of treatment. Alendronate dosage was adjusted according to iC a. Evaluation included physical examination, CBC, biochemistry profile, and diagnostic imaging. The owners and referring veterinarians were questioned about any observed adverse effects. The Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed rank test was used to compare baseline iC a to iC a at different time periods. Results Alendronate treatment resulted in a decrease in iC a in all 12 cats. The median percentage change in iC a was −13.2%, −15.9%, and −18.1% (range, −29.6 to +7.6; −30.5 to −1.9; −45.8 to +1.5%) at the 1, 3, and 6 month time points, respectively. Baseline iC a was significantly different from 1 month ( P = .0042), 3 months ( P = .0005), and 6 months ( P = .0015). No adverse effects were reported for any of the cats. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Alendronate was well tolerated and decreased iC a in most cats for the 6‐month period of observation.