This was e-mailed to my by a friend that has experienced eclampsia before with litters. I thought it was important enough to pass on...
Eclampsia is not so very common, most breeders have never experienced it and I thank god for that. When you see the effects of eclampsia, it renders the mom helpless with body tremors, panting and the inability to stand. Further effect are the loss of bodily functions and throwing up causing dehydration.
The pups take every bit of her milk (no matter the litter size although more common in large litters than not), once mothers milk is gone the bitches body says, "time to take it from the bones, we need to feed the kids". Once the bitches body begins depleating the bone source eclampsia sets in. Eclampsia is 100% recoverable if you recognize the signs and act immediately. The vet simply will either administer a calcium inject or an IV with calcium and glucose. Within minutes there is a full recovery. You can place the bitch back in with the pups and control her feeding after about 6 - 12 hours of the calcium injection. Your best bet is to keep mom wrapped so she can continue to preen the pups and give warmth and comfort only allowing her to feed 3 - 4 times a day (no more) you pick up the slack by bottle feeding. She should also be given 1/2 calcium (tums) in the morning and again at night every day through weaning. It is also very wise to wean as early as possible, so the bitch can recover more quickly.
The unfortunate outcome is that if a bitch experiences eclampsia they're more than likely going to repeat it in the next breeding if you don't suppliment the feedings at least 1/2 the time from birth. Supplimenting along with the bitches controlled feeding will more than likely ward of the cause and effect of eclampsia. |