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Canine Eclampsia a threat for new moms
By Julie Damron
Sierra Veterinary Clinic
January 01, 2011 12:01 AM
Canine eclampsia/puerperal tetany is a rapid, life-threatening drop in the blood level of calcium that can occur in a female dog one to three weeks after giving birth to puppies. Most commonly it occurs in small to medium-size animals, and larger litters are more likely to trigger this problem. The canine will experience severe muscle contractions that resemble seizures. In addition, the dog will be weak - often unable to stand; will have poor coordination, be restless and panting; not want to nurse; and may have a fever. A normal temperature for a dog is 99 to 102 degrees; with this illness, it may spike to 106 degrees.
This is a medical emergency. Treatment involves the administration of intravenous calcium. Blood calcium levels will be measured and monitored; blood glucose will also be evaluated. Once calcium therapy is initiated, the tremors will decrease in frequency and intensity and eventually stop. Over time, the patient will be able to sit and then stand. Intravenous fluids may also be given. Heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored, and the patient may have an EKG run. The canine's temperature will be monitored, and supportive steps may be taken to cool the patient.
Once the patient is stabilized, she will be placed on oral calcium. She should not be allowed to nurse her puppies for at least 24 hours, sometimes longer, depending on her body condition and severity of symptoms. At a minimum, the puppies should be placed on an alternating schedule of nursing and bottle feeding to reduce the demand on the mother dog. The mom will also be placed on a high-quality puppy diet and vitamins with calcium.
Multiple factors can trigger puerperal tetany. Diet is the most critical. People often start puppy food during pregnancy, supplement dog food with meat, or make a home-cooked diet thinking they are helping a pregnant dog prepare for her puppies. However, improper supplementation affects the body's balance of calcium and phosphorus and makes the dog less able to produce good levels of calcium when it is needed. The other common critical factor is a high milk demand. As the puppies grow, they require greater amounts of milk. This places increased stress on the mother's body, and calcium is pulled out of her system. The larger her litter and the bigger the puppies, the more demand on her. In addition, dogs with an underlying parathyroid gland problem or low-albumen issues will be more likely to develop puerperal tetany.
Calcium tetany can be prevented in many ways. Spay or neuter all your pets. This has a multitude of health benefits and reduces pet overpopulation. Don't breed your dog; this especially applies to any canine that has experienced this problem, because it is likely to happen again. Never breed a dog that is thin or has a poor body condition; this places the female at risk for multiple health problems. If your dog is pregnant, don't supplement or change her diet until after the puppies are born. Keep her on a high-quality maintenance diet during pregnancy. After the puppies are born, place mom on a high-quality puppy food. Vitamins with extra calcium can also be used once the puppies have arrived. When the puppies are 1 to 2 weeks old, start to alternate their feedings with milk replacer. This will ease the demands on mom, and is especially important if there are more than four puppies in the litter. Wean the puppies at 4 weeks. Monitor for signs of puerperal tetany, and get immediate care for mom at the first sign of a problem. Your veterinarian is the best source of information if you are considering breeding your dog.
Julie Damron is a veterinarian at Sierra Veterinary Clinic in Stockton. Contact her at features@recordnet.com.
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110101/A_LIFE1202/101010302/-1/NEWSMAP
By Julie Damron
Sierra Veterinary Clinic
January 01, 2011 12:01 AM
Canine eclampsia/puerperal tetany is a rapid, life-threatening drop in the blood level of calcium that can occur in a female dog one to three weeks after giving birth to puppies. Most commonly it occurs in small to medium-size animals, and larger litters are more likely to trigger this problem. The canine will experience severe muscle contractions that resemble seizures. In addition, the dog will be weak - often unable to stand; will have poor coordination, be restless and panting; not want to nurse; and may have a fever. A normal temperature for a dog is 99 to 102 degrees; with this illness, it may spike to 106 degrees.
This is a medical emergency. Treatment involves the administration of intravenous calcium. Blood calcium levels will be measured and monitored; blood glucose will also be evaluated. Once calcium therapy is initiated, the tremors will decrease in frequency and intensity and eventually stop. Over time, the patient will be able to sit and then stand. Intravenous fluids may also be given. Heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored, and the patient may have an EKG run. The canine's temperature will be monitored, and supportive steps may be taken to cool the patient.
Once the patient is stabilized, she will be placed on oral calcium. She should not be allowed to nurse her puppies for at least 24 hours, sometimes longer, depending on her body condition and severity of symptoms. At a minimum, the puppies should be placed on an alternating schedule of nursing and bottle feeding to reduce the demand on the mother dog. The mom will also be placed on a high-quality puppy diet and vitamins with calcium.
Multiple factors can trigger puerperal tetany. Diet is the most critical. People often start puppy food during pregnancy, supplement dog food with meat, or make a home-cooked diet thinking they are helping a pregnant dog prepare for her puppies. However, improper supplementation affects the body's balance of calcium and phosphorus and makes the dog less able to produce good levels of calcium when it is needed. The other common critical factor is a high milk demand. As the puppies grow, they require greater amounts of milk. This places increased stress on the mother's body, and calcium is pulled out of her system. The larger her litter and the bigger the puppies, the more demand on her. In addition, dogs with an underlying parathyroid gland problem or low-albumen issues will be more likely to develop puerperal tetany.
Calcium tetany can be prevented in many ways. Spay or neuter all your pets. This has a multitude of health benefits and reduces pet overpopulation. Don't breed your dog; this especially applies to any canine that has experienced this problem, because it is likely to happen again. Never breed a dog that is thin or has a poor body condition; this places the female at risk for multiple health problems. If your dog is pregnant, don't supplement or change her diet until after the puppies are born. Keep her on a high-quality maintenance diet during pregnancy. After the puppies are born, place mom on a high-quality puppy food. Vitamins with extra calcium can also be used once the puppies have arrived. When the puppies are 1 to 2 weeks old, start to alternate their feedings with milk replacer. This will ease the demands on mom, and is especially important if there are more than four puppies in the litter. Wean the puppies at 4 weeks. Monitor for signs of puerperal tetany, and get immediate care for mom at the first sign of a problem. Your veterinarian is the best source of information if you are considering breeding your dog.
Julie Damron is a veterinarian at Sierra Veterinary Clinic in Stockton. Contact her at features@recordnet.com.
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110101/A_LIFE1202/101010302/-1/NEWSMAP