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Originally Posted by AMD  I believe (please correct me if I'm wrong) that dogs absorbs calcium much differently from foods high in calcium than it does from a pill supplement. Foods high in calcium (cottage cheese) are recommended but not calcium pill supplements. |
This site explains it well. Foods work better than suppliments because they have other ingredients that help with the absorption of calcium, such as phosphorus and Vitamin D.
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Over-supplementation of calcium during pregnancy may increase the risk of eclampsia. There is a complex way the body maintains the proper amount of calcium in the blood. The body is constantly adding calcium to bones and then removing it, as needed. This is regulated by a hormone produced by the parathyroid gland, called parathyroid hormone. If a dog receives increased amounts of calcium during pregnancy, her body's production of parathyroid hormone greatly decreases. When the dog suddenly needs large amounts of calcium for milk production, the system is not ready to start removing it from the bone. This is because it takes some time for the parathyroid gland to start producing the hormone again. Because of the lack in parathyroid hormone, the blood calcium level suddenly drops, and produces the signs of eclampsia.
So, adequate amounts of calcium need to be given during pregnancy, but not enough to slow down the production of parathyroid hormone. This means calcium supplements are generally not recommended. Also, it is important for the calcium and phosphorus in the diet to be at the correct ratio of 1:1 (i.e.; 1 part calcium to 1 part phosphorus). Vitamin D must also be present in adequate amounts.
Eclampsia (Puerperal Tetany, Milk Fever, Hypocalcemia) in Dogs |