Doses - EDETATE CALCIUM DISODIUM, CALCIUM EDTA

The manufacturer of the injectable (human) product recommends diluting the injection to aconcentration of 2 - 4 mg/ml with either normal saline or 5% dextrose when used for intravenoususe. Because the injection is painful when given IM, 1 ml of procaine HCl 1% is recommended tobe added to each ml of injection before administering IM.

Dogs & Cats:

For lead poisoning:
a) Be sure there is no lead in GI tract before using. Give 100 mg/kg SQ divided into 4 daily doses in 5% dextrose for 5 days. May require second course of treatment, particularly if blood lead levels >0.10 ppm. Do not exceed 2 g/day and do not treat for more than 5 consecutive days. (Grauer and Hjelle 1988b)
b) Dilute to a one percent solution (10 mg/ml) with either normal saline or D5W and give 27.5 mg/kg SQ q6h for five days and then give 5 days rest; repeat if necessary.
Alternately, may give 50 mg/kg SQ q12h for 5 days if q6h is too inconvenient. (Mount 1989)
c) Cats: 27.5 mg/kg in 15 ml D5W SQ qid for 5 days. Recheck blood lead 2-3 weeks later and repeat therapy (with either CaEDTA or penicillamine) if greater than 0.2 ppm. (Reid and Oehme 1989)
For zinc toxicity:
a) 100mg/kg divided into four SubQ doses per day. Dilute in D5W to reduce local irritation at site of injection.. Exact dosage is not known nor how long therapy should continue. If possible, monitor serum zinc concentrations and maintain animal's hydration status. (Meurs and Breitschwerdt 1995)

Horses:

For lead poisoning:
a) Remove animal from source of lead. If severely affected give CaEDTA at 75 mg/kg IV slowly in D5W or saline daily for 4-5days (may divide daily dose into 2-3 administrations per day). Stop therapy for 2 days and repeat for another 4-5 days. Give adequate supportive and nutritional therapy. (Oehme 1987d)
Food Animals:
For lead poisoning:
a) Cattle: 67 mg/kg slow IV twice daily for 2 days; withhold dose for 2 days and then giveagain for 2 days. Cattle may require 10-14 days to recover and may require severalseries of treatments. (Bailey 1986b)
b) Cattle: 73.3 mg/kg/day slow IV divided 2-3 times a day for 3-5 days. If additionaltherapy is required, a 2 day rest period followed by another 5 day treatment regimen isrecommended. (Sexton and Buck 1986)
Birds:a) For lead poisoning in psittacines: 35 mg/kg IM bid for 5-7 days. After initial therapy, may give orally until all lead fragments are dissolved and/or passed from GI tract.(McDonald 1989)
Monitoring Parameters -

1) Blood lead or zinc (serial), and/or urine d-ALA

2) Renal function tests, urinalyses, hydration status

3) Serum phosphorus and calcium values

4) Periodic cardiac rate/rhythm monitoring may be warranted during administration
Client Information - Because of the potential toxicity of this agent and the seriousness of mostheavy metal intoxications, this drug should be used with close professional supervision only.
Dosage Forms/Preparations/FDA Approval Status/Withholding Times -
Note: Do not confuse with Edetate Disodium which should not be used for lead poisoning asit may cause severe hypocalcemia.
Veterinary-Approved Products:
Edetate Calcium Disodium Injection 50 mg/ml in 500 ml single dose vials. Meta-Dote®(Anthony) (Rx). Approved for use in cattle, horses, goats, sheep and swine. Not intended foruse on animals to be used as food.

Human-Approved Products:

Edetate Calcium Disodium Injection 200 mg/ml in 5 ml amps (1 gram/amp); Calcium Disodium
Versenate® (3M Pharm.) (Rx)