ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/calcium-gluconate
Calcium Gluconate is dosed at 50–100 mg/kg IV once in ball pythons, per Mans C, Braun J. Update on common nutritional disorders of captive reptiles. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2014;17:369-395. doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2014.05.002 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.263 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Provides ionized calcium for neuromuscular function, cardiac conduction, and bone metabolism. Cardioprotective against hyperkalemia.
IV administration must be SLOW with ECG monitoring (cardiac arrest risk). Tissue necrosis if given SC undiluted at high concentrations. Dilute for SC use. Monitor ionized calcium levels.
Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll Ball Python drugsAll Bearded Dragon drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 11 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 50–150 mg/kg | once | Strong | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.202 (2026-08-01). |
| Cat (Domestic) | IV | 50–100 mg/kg | q6-8h | Strong | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed., Part A: Canine and Feline, Calcium salts, printed p.60 (corpus PDF p.76) — cats, parenteral hypocalcaemia 95-140 mg calcium gluconate/kg slow IV, then 2.5 ml/kg of 10% calcium gluconate q6-8h — plus Plumb's 10th ed. printed p.175, which prints our exact volume (0.5-1 mL/kg of calcium gluconate 10% = 50-100 mg/kg of the gluconate salt). |
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