Like I said, go ahead and disagree all you want. If you go to the TUMS website itself, it says that it's a good supplement if taken with a balanced diet. Why do you think that it? Because ALONE, without being taken in conjunction with a carrier, it does no good. Giving it alone can actually lead to kidney stones and thyroid problems over a prolonged period of time. That's why they ADD Vitamin D to milk...because the high amounts of Calcium without it would actually be the opposite of helpful.

From one of the sites YOU linked (thanks), thus proving my point:
Add a balanced source of calcium, phosphorus, and Vitamin D to the bitch's diet beginning about mid-term. The best sources are milk (withdraw if this causes a loose stool) or cottage cheese. DO NOT add calcium alone!! It MUST be used with phosphorus and Vitamin D. (Remember that optimum ratio of Calcium to Phosphorus of 1.2 to 1!


I didn't imply anything. I can't help how you chose to interpret it and what you thought I meant. :confused: I asked the question to get more information from the OP, nothing more.

"Practical Matters: Do not institute calcium supplementation during canine pregnancy
Sep 1, 2008
By: Margaret V. Root Kustritz, DVM, PhD, DACT
VETERINARY MEDICINE




Margaret V. Root Kustritz
Postpartum hypocalcemia, also called eclampsia or puerperal tetany, is a metabolic condition most commonly seen in small-breed dogs nursing large litters two or three weeks after whelping. It is characterized by ataxia, mydriasis, disorientation, tachycardia, and neglect of pups, with possible progression to seizures. Clients with dogs that have suffered from eclampsia often want to supplement the bitches with calcium during subsequent pregnancies; however, calcium supplementation during pregnancy is contraindicated.

Parathyroid hormone is secreted in response to decreased serum calcium concentrations. The hormone increases calcium concentrations by promoting osteoclastic activity and increasing calcium uptake from the gastrointestinal tract. Oral calcium supplementation causes persistent serum calcium elevation with subsequent downregulation of parathyroid hormone. When the ***** whelps and begins lactating, it is difficult for oral supplementation alone to provide enough calcium since it is poorly absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Because the parathyroid hormone has been downregulated in dogs receiving oral calcium, bone calcium stores cannot be accessed and hypocalcemia results.

Instead of calcium supplementation, pregnant bitches should be fed a well-balanced puppy or performance food during the latter half of gestation. Calcium supplementation during lactation will not cause iatrogenic hypocalcemia, so supplementation may be instituted at whelping.

Margaret V. Root Kustritz, DVM, PhD, DACT
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Minnesota
St. Paul, MN 55108 "

Wow! I'm sure the OP is really confused now.... :confused: Hope mom and babies are all doing well.

Agreed...thus why I already stated that it shouldn't be started until AFTER the whelp. Why are you lecturing me on that? I stated that several posts ago? Post 24ish:
Were you feeding her cottage cheese before she whelped? Supplementing calcium is generally not something you should do until after the pups have arrived.

Why then, did you link to a site suggesting to start mid term? :confused:


Yep, you are right...in all my pasting and editing, I got it swapped around. My apologies. :)

You are right! Hopefully she is sticking around to learn and not off pumping her poor girl who's not eating full of Tums under the assumption that it's going to be enough to do the trick. :rolleyes:

Well DUH..of course a well balanced diet is important.. when did I say it wasn't. You LOVE to pick through my posts and argue until you turn blue. I guess it makes your day? Finish reading that entire site and quote what else it says...

There is plenty of vitamin D in puppy food. I am curious how long you have been breeding?

Mid term is just before whelping and it is in reference to feeding puppy food..not extra calcium... Only giving links to sites with FULL information..

I do NOT think her dog has eclampsia, like I said what her dog is doing is NORMAL...

You missed the part where she said HER DOG IS NOT EATING! So her dog is not getting a well balanced diet. Don't flatter yourself. My posts in this thread have nothing to do with picking your posts apart for my own entertainment. Just for giving a member looking for help ACCURATE information.

YOU posted links that confirmed what I was trying to say. YOU posted links that contradicted what you were saying. Don't blame me for that.:rolleyes:

Man you sure love dramatizing and twisting what a person says.. Pumping her full of tums.. where do you get your crazy idea's from?! I said ONE a day.. Do some research and see just how many breeders give their dogs tums and how many vets recommend it...:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Again, please answer..How long have you been breeding dogs?

Seriously? :rolleyes: I saw someone asking a question, saw something inaccurate posted, and gave more info. Nothing more.
Not sure what else to say...I'm sorry that the links you posted confirmed my comments and were the opposite of your own claims? :confused:

In any event, I hope the OP got the information she needed. I will keep looking for updates to see how momma and the new pups are doing. (And hopefully to see some pics soon!)

yep thats what I thought

Funny how you only seem to jump in when you see ME post. You do that an awful lot.

I am sure the OP is smart enough to read the information I posted and make her own conclusions.. good day..

I have to agree with BamaFan about giving Tums and about antibiotics. I am been raising yorkies for over 13 years. Tums is calcium carbonate is it is not the right form of calcium that nursing mommas need. Actually calcium carbonate should never be given to dogs with kidney problems and unless you are 100% sure your bitch does not have any kidney problems then you could be doing more harm than good. The bitch needs a calcium supplement for at least 8 weeks and Tums are not for long term use. It could be damaging to the momma. Yes, vets recommend them but I feel a toy breed it much more likely to be harmed if not given the proper supplement. I recommend Pet-cal that can be bought at most Vet's offices or Doc Roy's Healthy Bones that can be bought at Revival.

I always have antibiotics on hand for the momma after she has pups. The new momma's temperature must be monitored closely. If the temperature goes above 102.5 then she needs antibiotics and should be taken to the vet if the temperature goes any higher. New mommas often get a stopped up mammary gland and that can lead to mastitis. If the back teats start getting hard then the momma needs antibiotics immediately.

As for momma not eating, if she ate a lot of afterbirths then she probably does not feel well. I hand feed my mommas sometimes for several days after they have pups. I have a female now with 10 day old pups that will not eat unless I put the food in the whelping box and hand feed her. She has a good appetite but she is majorly spoiled. My females get dry puppy food mixed with canned Pedigree puppy food and a few egg noodles and some yogurt. Scrambled egg and cottage cheese can also be added to their diet. It is essential that the momma eat at least 4 times a day with the last meal being right before bedtime.

Wow