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Calcium Gluconate

Prescription

Calcium supplement / Electrolyte replenisher

Last reviewed 21 Apr 2026 · PetCare.AI Editorial Team

Species

Dog, Cat

Brands

4 available

Interactions

7 documented

Formulations

Mechanism of action

Provides ionized calcium essential for neuromuscular function, cardiac contractility, blood coagulation, and bone mineralization; directly antagonizes effects of hyperkalemia on cardiac conduction

At a glance

Class

Calcium supplement / Electrolyte replenisher

Schedule

Prescription

Storage

Below 30°C, protect from freezing

Dosing

🐕

Dog

Eclampsia (puerperal hypocalcemia), hyperkalemia, calcium channel blocker overdose

Dose

50–150 mg/kg

Route

IV (slow)

Frequency

To effect; repeat Q6–8H as needed

Max dose

5000 mg/dose; 15000 mg/day

Duration: Until calcium normalized; maintain on oral calcium

🐈

Cat

Eclampsia, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia

Dose

50–100 mg/kg

Route

IV (slow)

Frequency

To effect; repeat Q6–8H as needed

Max dose

1000 mg/dose; 3000 mg/day

Duration: Until calcium normalized

Educational reference only

This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Formulations

💉

Injectable solution — 1

Strength

10% (100mg/mL)

Available in India

Storage

Below 30°C, protect from freezing

Safety

Absolute contraindications — do not use

Hypercalcemia
Concurrent digitalis (digoxin) therapy
Calcium potentiates digitalis toxicity; use only if life-threatening hyperkalemia
digoxin

Use with caution

Concurrent ceftriaxone IV
Risk of calcium-ceftriaxone precipitation

Adverse effects

Common

Bradycardia during rapid infusion

Local irritation at injection site

Serious

Cardiac arrest (too-rapid IV administration)

Tissue necrosis if perivascular

Arrhythmias

Monitoring parameters

ECG during IV administrationHeart rateSerum ionized calciumSerum potassium

Educational reference only

Interactions

Major — 2

Digoxin

major

Calcium increases myocardial sensitivity to digoxin by enhancing Na+/K+-ATPase binding. IV calcium in digitalized patient can precipitate fatal ventricular arrhythmias.

Management: Extreme caution with IV calcium in patients on digoxin. Give very slowly with continuous ECG. Correct hypokalemia first.

Sodium Bicarbonate

major

Mixing sodium bicarbonate with calcium-containing solutions causes precipitation of insoluble calcium carbonate, clogging IV lines.

Management: NEVER mix in same IV line or bag. Flush line thoroughly between infusions. Use separate IV access if both needed simultaneously.

Moderate — 5

Doxycycline

moderate

Calcium chelates tetracyclines in the GI tract forming insoluble complexes, reducing doxycycline oral absorption by 20-50%.

Management: Separate administration by 2-3 hours. Give doxycycline 2h before or 3h after calcium-containing products.

Levothyroxine

moderate

Calcium chelates levothyroxine in the GI tract, reducing absorption by up to 40%.

Management: Separate by 4 hours. Give levothyroxine on empty stomach, calcium supplements with meals.

Enrofloxacin

moderate

Calcium chelates fluoroquinolones in GI tract. Reduces oral enrofloxacin absorption by 40-60%. IV route unaffected.

Management: Separate oral administration by at least 2 hours.

Calcitriol

moderate

Calcitriol increases intestinal calcium absorption. Concurrent calcium supplementation may cause hypercalcemia more rapidly than expected.

Management: Monitor ionized calcium frequently when both used (e.g., hypoparathyroidism). Titrate calcitriol based on calcium levels. Reduce calcium supplement as calcitriol takes effect.

Tetracycline

moderate

Calcium chelates tetracycline forming insoluble complexes. Reduces absorption significantly.

Management: Separate by 2-3 hours.

Educational reference only

Brands

International

Calcium Gluconate Injection

Various

Cal-Glu

Various

India

Calcium Gluconate

Sarabhai

Calcium Sandoz

Novartis India

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

›What is Calcium Gluconate?

Calcium Gluconate is a calcium supplement / electrolyte replenisher used in pets. Provides ionized calcium essential for neuromuscular function, cardiac contractility, blood coagulation, and bone mineralization; directly antagonizes effects of hyperkalemia on cardiac conduction

›What is Calcium Gluconate used for in pets?

Calcium Gluconate is used in veterinary medicine for: Eclampsia (puerperal hypocalcemia), hyperkalemia, calcium channel blocker overdose; Eclampsia, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia.

›What is the Calcium Gluconate dose for dogs?

For dogs, Calcium Gluconate is typically dosed as follows — Eclampsia (puerperal hypocalcemia), hyperkalemia, calcium channel blocker overdose: 50–150 mg/kg IV (slow) To effect; repeat Q6–8H as needed. Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.

›What is the Calcium Gluconate dose for cats?

For cats, Calcium Gluconate is typically dosed as follows — Eclampsia, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia: 50–100 mg/kg IV (slow) To effect; repeat Q6–8H as needed. Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.

›What are the side effects of Calcium Gluconate?

Common: Bradycardia during rapid infusion, Local irritation at injection site. Serious (call your vet immediately): Cardiac arrest (too-rapid IV administration), Tissue necrosis if perivascular, Arrhythmias.

›Does Calcium Gluconate need a prescription?

Yes. Calcium Gluconate is a prescription medication and should only be administered under veterinary supervision.

›When should Calcium Gluconate not be used?

Do not use Calcium Gluconate if: Hypercalcemia; Concurrent digitalis (digoxin) therapy.

Educational reference only

References

CDSCO approvals (India) — 1

Calcium and magnesium 24% Veterinary Injectable solution

M/s Bayer Health Care, Thane · Approved 16.09.2008

For the treatment of milk fever, hypocalcaemia tetanies and disorders of calcium metabolism in Dairy cattle

Source: CDSCO Veterinary Drug Approval Registry (1969–2026)

References

The PetCare.AI drug reference is built from 13 authoritative sources cited across 580 drug monographs.

Textbooks & handbooks — 5

Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
Withrow & MacEwen's Small Animal Clinical Oncology
Merck Veterinary Manual
NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats
Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Riviere & Papich)

Clinical guidelines & consensus — 4

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Guidelines
AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines
ASPCA Poison Control Guidelines
RECOVER CPR Guidelines

Journals & peer-reviewed studies — 2

EPIC Study (J Vet Intern Med 2016)
JVIM FAT CAT Study

Regulatory & approvals — 1

CDSCO Veterinary Drug Approval Registry (1969–2026)

Databases — 1

Washington State University VCPL MDR1 Database