Evaluation of total and ionized calcium status in dogs with blastomycosis: 38 cases (1997-2006).
OBJECTIVE
To determine blood ionized calcium (iCa) and serum total calcium (tCa) concentrations in dogs with blastomycosis and to evaluate whether serum tCa concentration, albumin-adjusted serum calcium concentration (AdjCa-Alb), and total protein-adjusted serum calcium concentration (AdjCa-TP) accurately predict iCa status.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
38 client-owned dogs with a cytologic diagnosis of blastomycosis.


METHODS
Dogs were classified as hypocalcemic, normocalcemic, or hypercalcemic on the basis of blood iCa concentration, serum tCa concentration, AdjCa-Alb, and AdjCa-TP; classification on the basis of serum tCa concentration, AdjCa-Alb, and AdjCa-TP was compared with blood iCa concentration.


RESULTS
Except for 2 hypercalcemic dogs, all dogs had blood iCa concentrations within the reference interval. Use of serum tCa concentration overestimated hypocalcemia in 57.9% (22/38) of dogs and underestimated hypercalcemia in 1 dog. Use of AdjCa-Alb correctly reclassified all dogs as normocalcemic that were classified as hypocalcemic on the basis of serum tCa concentration, but failed to predict hypercalcemia in 1 dog. Use of AdjCa-TP correctly reclassified all but 2 dogs as normocalcemic that were classified as hypocalcemic on the basis of serum tCa concentration, and failed to predict hypercalcemia in 1 dog. No correlation was found between blood iCa concentration and serum concentrations of tCa, total protein, and albumin; AdjCa-Alb; or AdjCa-TP.


CONCLUSIONS
High blood iCa concentration was uncommon in dogs with blastomycosis. Hypoalbuminemia contributed to a low serum tCa concentration despite a blood iCa concentration within reference limits. The use of serum tCa concentration, AdjCa-Alb, and AdjCa-TP may fail to identify a small number of dogs with high blood iCa concentrations.
Crews
Laura J
LJ
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA.
Sharkey
Leslie C
LC
Feeney
Daniel A
DA
Jessen
Carl R
CR
Ruska
Tammy
T
D000818:Animals; D001759:Blastomycosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D007477:Ions; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001798:Blood Proteins; D007477:Ions; D002118:Calcium