Quote:
Originally Posted by Sugar's Mom  my 62 days pregnant girl is in the hospital with Eclampsia. She got sick this morning around four oclock. I have never had it but knew immediately what it was due to research. Way to early for my vet and I couldn't reach his emergency pager. I gave her a Tums and it helped her for awhile then she started up again. All four legs straight out and stiff, muscle twitching, glassy eyed. I posted on a reproduction forum and Ruth of MsChif yorkies called me and told me to give her six more crushed up tums. I had just thrown my Cal Sorb away. I did and about fifteen till seven my vet finally returned my call. We rushed her in and he took one look at her and confirmed ecamlpsia. She couldn't even stand or hold her head up. She had one small seizure right before I got her to the vet. We as breeders need to revisit the theory of not giving your bitches calcuim before they whelp. I used to give them a meal extra in the morning with whelping pudding or cottage cheese in it. I recently stopped doing it because the general feeling on here and a few other places was not to give it pre whelp. Big mistake. I almost lost my bitch and still might but he seemed to think he could bring her out of it. For those aspiring breeders, you need to think long and hard and not wait until you have to get on here asking and begging for help. When you breed your first dog, you should have research everything you can and know exactly what you are doing. |
Dee, I am so very sorry for the near tragedy you had with the ecamlpsia (hypocalcemia). Although it is fairly uncommon prior to whelping, my Chattie had a serious case 2 weeks before her whelp. Her symptoms were weakness, excessive panting, shaking, and inability to walk. I dashed her immediately to the vet who pulled blood, verified low calcuim and started an calcuim iv drip.
I asked about giving calcuim routinely and Dr. Amy cautioned me against the practice. She explained that if you give calcuim supplements prior to whelping it interferes with the natural process of calcuim production and leaching it from the bones to produce milk. It was recommended to supplement regular meals with calcuim rich foods.
Chattie was an exception - I wound up giving her Cal-Sorb for the last two weeks of pregnancy and throughout the entire lactating period.
I am so glad that you acted quickly and that all is well. Sending hugs to all!!!