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
Clinical Findings:
- Initially, affected dog will be restless and nervous.
- Stiff gait, wobbling or disorientation
- Eventually, bitch may become unable to walk, legs become stiff or rigid.
- Muscle tremor, eye twitching, panting, incoordination
- Fever; temperature rises upto 107°F
- Increased rate of respiration
- Ataxia, muscle tetany and convulsive seizures
- Death occurs, if treatment is not given.
Treatment:
- Immediate slow IV infusion of 10% Ca-borogluconate @ 1-1.5 ml/kg, b.wt.
- 10% dextrose has been recommended after calcium therapy
- Puppies should be removed from bitch and handfed with canine milk replacer
- At age of 4 weeks, weaning is recommended.
- Cool bath should be given to lower body temperature.
- Administration of prednisone @2.5 mg tablet BID for 3 days followed by 1.25 mg BID for 3 days and then 1 mg BID for 7 days
- To prevent relapse of disease after treatment, dietary supplement of calcium and vitamin D is given.
- Vitamin D @ 4000-6000 IU/kg, daily.
Prevention:
- Balanced diet should be provided with proper Ca:P ratio during gestation.
- High quality meat based balanced food may be provided.
- Calcium must be used with phosphorus and vitamin D. too much calcium diet should be avoided.
- Cortisone supplement prior to whelping are helpful in preventing canine eclampsia.
- Puppies are supplemented with milk replacer as soon as possible to decrease milk demand on bitch.
- Weaning of pups at about 4 weeks of age is recommended.