 question
It is more commonly called Eclampsia with breeders. Yes, I have had it happen twice. Both bitches were rebred and it never occurred again..but you must take precautions.
There is much debate about calcuim suppliments before whelping..most vets are opposed, feeling it can cause the problem...what you need to do is speak to a reproduction vet about the proper ratio of calcuim to phorphous..that is the tricky part when supplimenting.
The bitch must eat a calcuim rich well balanced diet before and after.
You will want to suppliment the nursing and give mom a break for a few feedings...
The bitch needs to be kept on puppy food from the first week of breeding..add cottage cheese, liver, chicken, eggs, yogart, American cheese to her daily diet..much of this can be mixed well with dry so she can not pick out the "good" stuff...
As a rule you see it in a larger litter...it happened when my girl Peach had 6 and she was 5 pounds..and Pinkie was 4 pounds with 4 pups..both were not eating as well as I liked, but with future litters I feed the pups twice daily and once during the night until weaning..best wishes |