Calcium or not? This is started from a thread last week...I think. Should you give a pregnant bitch calcium tablets towards the end of the pregnancy? I've found out that you wait till the last week because calcium can actually induce labor and it should be continued while they are nursing. Pre-Eclampsia/milk fever is a result from lack of calcium so it would make sense to offer suppliments. My vet even suggested this and so Gracie got calcium through her last pregnancy. If you choose no, would you please state your reasons? |
My mentors Lauren and Lynn told me not to give calcium to a pregnant bitch . If she is healthy and have quality puppy food it is ok . |
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i voted no on actual supplements in pill form, ect. i do give cottage cheese and yogurt...usually last 1-2 weeks. maybe a little as a treat 1-2 times week before that. but i dont give in large quanties. but i have never given an over the counter supplement made for dogs. do you think that would be better? or is the yogurt/cott cheese suffecient ? they do look forward to it as a treat. |
Kim I would caution you in using calcium before birth there are many articles that support too much calcium in a pregnant can indeed bring on eclampsia here is a short article Prevention of eclampsia Supplementation of dietary calcium does not seem to play a large role in preventing eclampsia. In fact, over-supplementation during pregnancy may actually cause it. All calcium supplements must be in the proper ratio with phosphorus. This ratio should be about 1:1 (i.e., 1 part calcium to 1 part phosphorus). In addition, it has been suggested that dog foods high in soybeans will be high in the plant product phytate. Phytates combine with calcium and can render the calcium unavailable to the bitch’s body, and therefore, make her more susceptible to eclampsia. To remedy the problem, feed diets low in soybean. Kim IMHO if the gals are getting a very high quality puppy food and natural calcium added into the diet ie cottage cheese and yogurt with added proteins like rice or pasta and chicken, a couple weeks prior to whelping continued through nursing they are getting everything the need! |
Thanks, Kimberly. Gracie is at her boyfriend's house this week. I'll definitely keep this in mind during her pregnancy and after she whelps! :) |
Kim IMHO if the gals are getting a very high quality puppy food and natural calcium added into the diet ie cottage cheese and yogurt with added proteins like rice or pasta and chicken, a couple weeks prior to whelping continued through nursing they are getting everything the need! not directly, but i think that answered my question. thats all i was wanting some input on...lol |
Now I know that she loves chicken and rice...sometimes has a little trouble with the rice part but haven't tried cottage cheese or yogurt. Paula told me about cheese slices...gonna try that too. thanks, guys! |
Kim dont do a lot of cheese, sometimes it can cause constipation (bind them up), use it in very small servings and not daily...Also if I have a larger litter (after whelping) I will add 1/2 tums or a good pet vitamin that includes calcium 1/4 table crushed into there food daily and as Ive said numerous times goats milk. If your mom is a bad eater for the first 3 days after whelping (some are) I will also give them baby rice cerel mixed with goats milk along with their normal diet... |
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Kim, I have a gal that experienced eclampsia (I have fear of it now and respect what many vets say) I have had many of chats with Dr. Powell because of this frightening eclampsia rearing its ugly head again (which I never want to experience it again in this life time) The proper balance is essential when supplimenting calcium. |
gotcha, girlie! :thumbup: What happened with the bitch that got it? :confused: |
it was miserable and so very frightening. I could tell she was in stress about 10 days into nursing, not eating acting listless, not knowing her calicum levels were getting lower and lower. Never experiencing it before I had no idea what it actually looked like. I fed her more often and smaller meals which still didnt seem to help. I had her in a playpen with a step on the other side so she could get in and out for potty breaks. At 4:00am in the moring she came into my bedroom whining. Well she is a big talker so I told her to go be a good mommy I merely thought she wanted to start sleeping with me again so soon. Well 5 mintues went by, she is still whining, I turn on the lights she can hardly stand she cant sit either, her body was stiff and she was panting heavy. I grabbed her up and sped to an emergency vet, on the way she threw up again and again and her body went into rigor, shaking tremors, panting worse and worse. Running in as fast as I can yelling help my kid please and fast. They did a blood test for calcium levels, she was totally depleated. Within 5 mins of a calcium IV she was back to normal with all the vim and vigor she had before. Had I not caught this she could have died. Noticing the tall tell signs is essential. Timing is the essence had her temp rose too high (from the panting) she could have gone into full shock, then coma, then possible death. Its was all to sad to see!! I hope no one has to experience this! |
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Also food for thought, I give oxitosen to assure no placenta has been retained knowing even a 1/4 round piece has the potential of causing a nasty infection. My vet told me that giving oxitosen to a gal that has experienced eclampsia in the past can create havoc bring down too much milk and create eclampsia. Go figure! |
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