Excessive Ca and P intake during early maturation in dogs alters Ca and P balance without long-term effects after dietary normalization

Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) balance is important for skeletal development. Although the effects of deficiencies are well known, reports on the effects of excessive Ca and P supply are relatively scarce. Epidemiologic data and a few controlled studies have shown that skeletal abnormalities may develop when Ca intake is excessive, particularly in periods of rapid growth. Changes in Ca and P balance during and/or after a high Ca intake are thought to underlie this phenomenon. In this study, the effects of excessive Ca (3.1 g/kg dry matter) or Ca and P (Ca 3.1 g/kg, P 2.8 g/kg) intake on Ca and P balance in young, rapidly growing dogs during (for the period from 3 to 17 wk of age) and after (for the period from 17 to 27 wk of age) high Ca and P intake were compared with findings in age-matched controls with normal Ca and P intakes (Ca 1.0 g/kg, P 0.8 g/kg). Dogs fed a high Ca diet developed hypercalcemia, and food intake and fractional absorption of Ca and P were significantly lower at 15 wk of age, whereas endogenous fecal and renal Ca excretion were significantly higher than in controls. This resulted in significantly higher Ca retention than in controls only at 9 wk of age, and in disproportionate absorption of Ca and P. In dogs fed a high Ca and P diet, normocalcemia was maintained, fractional absorption of Ca and P were significantly lower at 9 and 15 wk of age, but retention of both was significantly higher at 9 wk than in controls. The endogenous fecal Ca and renal P losses were significantly higher, but renal Ca excretion was not different from that in controls. After normalization of Ca and P intake, Ca and P balance did not differ among groups. In conclusion, excessive Ca and P intake during early maturation alters Ca and P balance, but does not influence Ca and P balance after dietary normalization.