Magnesium salts

Magnesium salts In Dogs & Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Muscular excitation and neural transmission play a crucial role in physiological processes.
• The cofactor plays a crucial role in multiple enzyme systems and the regulation of ionic gradients.

Uses of Magnesium salts

• The management of unresponsive ventricular arrhythmias, particularly in cases when hypokalemia is present and there is a possibility of concomitant hypomagnesemia.
• Infusions and oral administration are employed for the treatment of hypomagnesaemia.

Dose of Magnesium salts in Dogs and Cats

Dogs, Cats:

• Life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia: 0.15–0.3 mEq/kg i.v. administered over 5–15 min.
• Magnesium replacement: 0.75–1.0 mEq/kg/day by continuous rate infusion in 5% dextrose has been advocated for the first 24–48 hours, followed by a lower dose of 0.3–0.5 mEq/kg/day for 3–5 days to allow complete repletion of magnesium stores.

Side Effects of Magnesium salts in Dogs and Cats

• The occurrence of somnolence, central nervous system depression, and even coma, as well as muscle weakness, bradycardia, hypotension, respiratory depression, and prolonged Q-T intervals, has been observed, often as a result of excessive dosing.
• Elevated concentrations can lead to neuromuscular paralysis and cardiac cessation.

Contraindications of Magnesium salts in Dogs and Cats

• It is contraindicated to administer this medication to individuals with heart block or myocardial injury.
• The use of magnesium should be avoided in individuals with renal impairment or failure, as the kidneys play a crucial role in excreting magnesium from the body in proportion to its serum levels.

Some Notes:

• To prevent the occurrence of hyperkalemia, it is recommended to decrease the administration of intravenous potassium supplementation.
• It is crucial to regularly monitor the levels of serum magnesium, as approximately 30-35% of it is bound to protein while the remaining portion exists in its ionised form.
• Magnesium can be safely combined with 5% dextrose and calcium gluconate in solution.
• In the event of a potential overdose or complications, it is advisable to be prepared for appropriate treatment, which may involve the use of ventilatory support and intravenous calcium gluconate.
• It is important to consult the relevant product information on a case-by-case basis.
• The occurrence of additive effects can be observed when other central nervous system depressants, such as barbiturates and general anaesthetics, are concurrently administered.
• It is not recommended to utilise non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking medications due to the potential for significant neuromuscular blockade.
• Extreme caution should be exercised when using digitalis glycosides due to the potential occurrence of significant conduction abnormalities.