Serum Ionized Calcium Variations in Simple and Comminuted Fractures in the Dog’s Appendicular Skeleton and Consequent Risks of a Hypercalcemic Condition

Abstract

A sample of 40 Canis familiaris (n=40) of unknown gender and breed was divided into two groups: (1) the control group (CG), which featured trauma but no fractures, and (2) the study group, which featured appendicular skeletal fractures (FG); FG was further subdivided into two groups according to the type of fracture: a) simple fractures (SFG) and b) comminuted fracture (CFG). The present study sought (1) to compare the serum- ionized Ca2+ levels of SF patients with those of CF patients and (2) to establish the existence of a relationship between SF and CF statuses based on patients’ clinical symptoms. iCa2+ was measured using an i-STAT® Abbott® CG8+ analytic system. Patients were assessed for clinical symptoms associated with potential hypercalcemia. Results were statistically significant for P values < 0.05. Differences between CG and FG were registered for clinical symptoms. Patients with SF and CF always presented a higher average value of iCa2+ than CT patients, although no statistically significant differences between the SF and CF groups were observed. SF and CF patients should always be assumed to have a mild hypercalcemic condition until laboratory results prove otherwise. CF patients in the present study presented with significantly higher expressions of clinical symptoms compared with those in the SF group. Consequently, iCa2+ level measurements should always be a part of the basic laboratory panels and be required by clinicians whenever patients are presented with fractures. Medications that promote extracellular increases in Ca2+ should be avoided until a patient’s iCa2 + level is determined, thus ensuring the patient’s safety