Signs of Eclampsia
 

We had a scary day yesterday.
Isabella who is a mommy to a litter of 4 ,3 week old pups ,started showing the signs of eclampsia.Luckily I was home with her and noticed almost immediatly the tell tale signs of trembling ,panting something was different you could tell right away.After giving her some tums,puppy cal and food every 15 minutes within the hour she was fine .A call to the vet assured me she was stable but the minute symptoms return bring her in .It sure did scare me though and I am wrestling with the idea of weaning the pups now.They have not fed from mom from almost 24 hours now.
They have been doing great with puppy milk and puppy food gruel every four hours since yesterday.
Any breeders have a case like this and if so did you end up weaning the pups right away?

Oh gosh, how scary indeed. I sure am glad to hear that mom is okay now. I have not experienced eclampsia myself having had only one litter so far, and hope I never do, but I would guess that it would be a good idea to begin weaning and/or supplementing them from mom. Or could you just help mom out by giving her more calcium enriched foods/supplements? I'm not really sure, just guessing, but will sure stay tuned to this thread for more info since I've got a litter due in about 4 weeks.

I really feel that it would be safe to let the pups nurse. The most important thing is to make sure the mom is getting plenty of quality food and a calcium supplement twice a day. Tums is not a good calcium supplement. I prefer Doc Roy's Healthy Bones from Revival or Pet-Cal. Also it is greatly advisable to always have Cal-sorb on hand.

Is the mom full of milk since the pups have not nursed? I think it would be best to wean the pups slowly. It would be good if they could still nurse about 4 times a day and also be supplemented. Did the mom have this episode after going a long time without food? The best way to prevent eclampsia is to make sure the mom gets plenty of quality food and a nice meal right at bedtime.

I am sorry to read that mommy had some problems, but it's wonderful that she is feeling better now! Maybe you could ask your vet what his/her advice would be about weaning them.

I hope all continues to go well for your fur kids!

Tammy

Here's something else you should keep on hand.



Revival Animal Health - Oral Cal Plus #60210-493


Information that I've received from reputable breeder exhibitors is to take the pups off of mom. Evidently, she is not producing the necessary calcium, so why put her in jeaprody. Her pups have received the necessary colostrum, and old enough to lap....Put a onsie on her to do the necessary training, cleaning and loving.

I hope she is doing better. What did you end up deciding with the pups? Are you weaning them?

As of now I am still feeding them the puppy milk and gruel.Tums is all she would take at first.My daughter had been ill so i had not paid attention to her not finishing her last bed time meal,it made me realize just how quickly it can happen .
Mom is full of milk and this episode had occured in the morning yesterday.
I have my dam on eagle pack canned puppy and solid gold steamed bone meal 3x a day mixed with her dry
also a plain yoguart and cottage cheese for snacks.
She is now not showing much interest in the pups which saddens me but im going by her clues and think I will just continue to feed the pups myself.
I have learned a vauluable lesson to keep a more vigilant eye on her even when things are hectic at home.
Thank you for all your responses.

I hope the momma and puppies do well. The best way to prevent eclampsia is to always make sure the momma is eating plenty of food. Missing a meal is very hard on nursing mommas. Next time you have a litter be sure to order the Doc Roy's Healthy Bones; they are very flavorful and all my females like them. Also, order the calcium supplement Mardlin mentioned.

Even if you do not let the pups nurse you still need to monitor momma closely because she is still producing milk. She can still get eclampsia and long as she is producing milk so make sure she is eating well. Also you do not want her get mastitis or engorged teats from the pups not nursing so you will need to monitor that.

So do you reccomend going with the doc roys and oral cal exclusively and not using the bone meal .

I would like to know more about the Oral Cal Plus. Looking at in on the website link it shows a 30ml size. Do I just need one 30 ml syringe for one female? It seems that you use it to prevent problems; how much of it do you give and how often? I'm sure instructions come with it, but I'd like to know before I buy so I know how much I will need. Sounds like a important supplement to have.

I have never used bone mean. I know that the mommas body needs the calcium to be delivered with the correct ratio of Vit D and Phosphorus or the calcium does not get absorbed. The Healthy Bones are formulated with the correct ratio. Personally, I just give 1/2 tablet of the Healthy Bones twice a day, I make sure the mom never misses a meal and I have not had any problems with eclampsia since doing that. I keep the Cal-sorb on hand for emergencies. I will order the fast acting Oral Cal next time I order from Revival and I will have it on had for emergencies. I have the Cal-sorb on hand now but it the mommas hate the taste of it so I will try the new product.

Oral Cal is the same as Cal Sorb. However, it doesn't have the same affect that Cal Sorb has on making the moms vomit (awful taste). Both are fast acting when you have a bitch showing signs of eclampsia....absorb much quicker into the body.

I'm not sure if it's meant to feed on a daily basis as Calcium supplements such as Pet Cal or others. It's for emergencies. However, revival has qualified vets on hand to answer your questions. However, the best source of keeping it at bay is an scrambled egg a day and sunshine, as vitamin D is the best source to help with the production of calcium.

The awful taste has been the complaint, usually have to follow up quickly with Nutri Cal to prevent the vomiting. I've not had a case of eclampsia as yet....but then hubby takes care of the nursing moms, watches them like a hawk, hand or spoon feeds if necessary....4 to 5 times a day.

The onesie idea is a great one and it works... I usually start supplementing the puppies with "smashed dry food wet" in warm water at 3 weeks of age, to give moms a break. But we use a "onesie" on moms and let the puppies go a bit hungry ... feed them the nicest puppy paste ( it may look gross... but they will love it, believe-me!) let them have as much as they want, then let mommy in with them, she will get them all cleaned up, and she will clean the paste plate as well... it makes the weaning process a slow and safe process without withdrawing mom from them so sudden.
I would recommend you supervised nursing 2 times a day for the next few days to make sure your mom dries slowly and do not have any complications from a full breast of milk. It is very safe, just let the puppies nurse a little in the morning , then put the "onesie" back on mommy for the day... and let her in again to nurse a little before bed time. Make sure the puppies are partially fed before she goes in to nurse them. You will be safe and mom and puppies will be happy ...
I recommend you slow wean your next litter of puppies... you will see how easy it is... safer for both mom and litter... and just peace of mind for you !

Blessings !