Calcium Gluconate

IV treatment of hypocalcemia including milk fever in horses and cattle; eclampsia in dogs and cats; magnesium toxicity antidote. Parenteral calcium replacement. Mechanism: provides ionized calcium for physiological processes including muscle contraction, nerve conduction, cardiac function, and enzyme activation. Calcium gluconate is less concentrated than calcium chloride (contains ~9% elemental calcium) and less irritating to veins. IV administration must be slow — rapid infusion causes cardiac dysrhythmias. Key information Administer IV slowly (over 10–20 min) — rapid infusion causes cardiac arrhythmias. Monitor ECG/heart rate during infusion. Do not mix with bicarbonate or phosphate solutions (precipitates). Extravasation causes severe tissue necrosis. Refrigerate injectable solution.

IV: dilute to ≤10% solution; administer slowly over 10–20 min with continuous ECG monitoring. Never give as rapid IV bolus. SQ or oral: as directed. Have ECG monitoring available during IV administration. Store at room temperature; protect from light. If a dose is missed This medication is administered by a veterinarian or veterinary staff in a clinical setting. Missed doses are managed by your veterinary team — contact your veterinarian to reschedule.

IV administration too rapid: bradycardia, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest. Local tissue irritation/necrosis with perivascular extravasation. Hypercalcemia: muscle weakness, depression, polyuria, vomiting. Constipation with oral use. Must infuse slowly with ECG monitoring.

For animals IV: administer slowly (over 10–20 min) with ECG monitoring — rapid infusion causes fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Avoid in patients with hypercalcemia or digoxin toxicity (potentiates cardiac glycoside toxicity). Extravasation causes tissue necrosis — use patent IV catheter only. For people handling this medication Injectable — administered by veterinary staff only. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling. If accidentally self-injected, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Avoid contact with eyes; if contact occurs, flush with water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling.

Contact your veterinarian. Calcium overdose causes hypercalcemia: weakness, vomiting, kidney damage, and cardiac arrhythmias. IV administration — managed by veterinary staff.