Eclampsia:

• It is an acute life threatening condition caused by hypocalcemia soon after whelping and in lactating bitches.
• Eclampsic dogs are severely hypocalcemic; < 6.5 mg/dL in blood
• It usually occurs in 21 days after whelping, occasionally during late pregnancy or at parturition.

Predisposing causes:

• Toy and small breed most commonly affected.
• Highest incidence in first litter
• Poor nutrition during pregnancy and lactation
• Use of calcium supplements during pregnancy
• Most commonly seen after 2-3 weeks of birth, can be seen as late as 6 weeks after whelping (giving birth).

Etiology:

• Hypoglycemia: if disease occurs within 2 weeks after parturition
• Hypocalcemia: if disease occurs in late part of lactation.
• Disease of parathyroid gland
• Excessive milk production
• Low blood levels of albumen
• Poor nutrition