 eclampsia
Eclampsia in a pregnant woman and a dog is quite different. In a human it is related to blood pressure prior to giving birth.
In a dog it is low blood calcuim levels, most often due to nursing...it can happen prior to whelping, but not the norm.
It most often occurs in a first time mother around two weeks after whelping and with a large litter that is draining the bitch of milk...which in turn causes her body to produce more and more milk, thus depleting her calcuim reserve.
Poor diet can be a cause, a bitch that does not eat well is prone also.
Supplimenting with calcuim before whelping is not wise..but feeding a calcuim rich diet is good. Many vets/researchers feel suppliments before whelping will actually cause eclampsia.
Untreated, the bitch will most often die. An IV of calcuim directly adminstering calcuim into the system will snap her out in a matter of minutes like it never happened...the bitch will want to go home and resume her mothering and will be very upset that she can not nurse them. I put a onezie on mine and allowed them to be with the pups..she can do everything but nurse.
Symtoms..are a high temp, panting, restlessness, unsteady gait, muscles spasms, stiffness in the muscles..then convulsions and death if not treated quickly. |