Pamidronate (Aredia) for Pets in 2025 🦴

Pamidronate disodium, sold under the brand name Aredia®, is a powerful intravenous medication used to manage bone pain and dangerous elevations in calcium levels in pets. I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, and this 2025 veterinary guide will walk you through how pamidronate works, when it’s used, and how to use it safely in dogs and cats 🐾💉

🔬 What Is Pamidronate?

Pamidronate belongs to a class of drugs called bisphosphonates. These medications inhibit bone-destroying cells called osteoclasts, reducing bone loss and the release of calcium into the blood. This can slow the painful destruction of bone seen in cancer, help stabilize the skeleton, and help manage calcium levels in certain diseases.

📋 Uses of Pamidronate in Veterinary Medicine

• 🦴 Bone tumors (especially osteosarcoma) to reduce pain and skeletal destruction
• 🧪 Hypercalcemia of malignancy (seen in lymphoma, multiple myeloma, anal sac adenocarcinoma, and others)
• ⚠️ Vitamin D toxicity (including from rodenticides)

💉 How It’s Administered

• Pamidronate is given intravenously (IV), diluted in fluids
• The infusion typically lasts at least 2 hours to minimize kidney risks
• May be repeated every 3 to 6 weeks depending on disease and response

⚠️ Side Effects & Monitoring

Common risks include:

• 🧬 Kidney damage—why IV fluids and blood testing are crucial
• 🩺 Electrolyte disturbances (especially low calcium levels)
• 🩸 Bone marrow suppression in rare human cases (RBCs, WBCs, platelets)

Signs of low calcium (hypocalcemia) to watch for:

• ⚡ Muscle tremors or twitching
• 😟 Restlessness or anxiety
• 🐕 Weakness or collapse
• ⚠️ Seizures in severe cases

💡 Talk to your vet about setting up a monitoring schedule. Bloodwork before and after each treatment is recommended to monitor calcium, kidney values, and electrolytes.

🔄 Drug Interactions

Pamidronate must be used cautiously with other medications that affect calcium levels or strain the kidneys:

• Furosemide – diuretic that can lower calcium
• NSAIDs – increase kidney toxicity risk when used together
• Cisplatin – chemotherapy with high kidney risk (less commonly used now)
• Corticosteroids – often used in cancer patients
• Aminoglycoside antibiotics – increase calcium drop risk

🚫 Contraindications

• 🚫 Not for pets with existing kidney failure or dehydration
• 🚫 Do not use during pregnancy or lactation
• ❌ Avoid rapid infusion—must be given slowly with IV fluids

🧠 Emerging Benefits

• 🛡️ May slow tumor spread or even trigger tumor cell death (research ongoing)
• 🦴 Can reduce the risk of bone fracture in tumor-damaged bones

🩺 Summary of Vet Recommendations

• 📋 Always perform pre-treatment bloodwork
• 💉 Administer slowly via IV infusion
• 🧪 Monitor kidney values, electrolytes, and calcium post-infusion
• 📅 Schedule regular rechecks if multiple treatments are planned

📲 Ask a Vet Before Treatment

Considering pamidronate for your pet? Use the Ask A Vet app to speak with licensed veterinarians for guidance on cancer pain, calcium concerns, or other palliative treatments 🐾💬

✅ Summary

• ✔️ Pamidronate (Aredia) helps reduce pain and calcium levels in pets with serious illness
• ✔️ Given via IV infusion every few weeks with careful monitoring
• ⚠️ Can strain kidneys—bloodwork is essential
• ⚠️ Drug interactions and calcium imbalances must be managed
• 🧠 Offers valuable relief for bone pain and hypercalcemia when used properly

With expert oversight, pamidronate can offer real relief to pets with bone cancer or severe calcium issues 💛

— Dr Duncan Houston BVSc