Disorders of Calcium and Phosphate Metabolism in Horses

Calcium and phosphate have structural and nonstructural functions, and their concentrations in the extracellular compartment are affected by the physiologic status of the animal as well as diseases. Important progress in understanding calcium and phosphorus metabolism in healthy and diseased horses and foals has been made in recent years. For example, several studies have confirmed that hypocalcemia is frequent in horses with gastrointestinal disease and that calcium endocrine dysregulation is associated with survival in foals. One critical point in the homeostasis of these minerals is their interaction and interdependence with other ions, including potassium and magnesium. In this review, the author provides a clinical overview on disorders of calcium and phosphate in the horse.