Disorders of Calcium in Horses and Foals.

Disorders of calcium homeostasis are frequent in equids with acute and chronic disorders. These animals may have abnormal phosphorus concentrations. Prompt identification and treatment are central for a positive outcome. A basic understanding of calcium regulation facilitates the diagnosis and treatment of calcium dysregulation. In horses, hypocalcemia is more often associated with acute conditions linked to systemic inflammation (eg, sepsis, gastrointestinal diseases), although hypocalcemia is also a feature of hypoparathyroidism and acute kidney injury. Magnesium supplementation should be considered in animals with refractory hypocalcemia. Most hypocalcemic disorders have a guarded to good prognosis. Hypercalcemia is usually associated with chronic conditions.