Postpartum Eclampsia in Dogs

 

Eclampsia is a deficiency of blood calcium (hypocalcemia) that develops in the weeks after giving birth, although it may develop prior to birth or during lactation. Also called "milk fever" or puerperal tetany, eclampsia is usually due to an underactive parathyroid gland, the gland that is responsible for regulating the parathyroid hormone, which in turn regulates the amount of calcium that is stored in the bones, to be removed as needed for use in the blood. As the parathyroid gland has not being signaled to stimulate the parathyroid hormone to release calcium from the bones into the body, when the bitch's milk comes in and the demand for calcium suddenly increases, the parathyroid gland is unable to respond quickly enough for her needs to be met. The lack of calcium results in tonoclonic contractions of the skeletal muscles, where the muscles in the body contract convulsively, limiting movement.

 

This disease most often occurs with first litters and in toy breeds. Chihuahuas, miniature pinschers, shih-tzus, miniature poodles, Mexican hairless dogs and pomeranians are at increased risk for eclampsia, as as toy breeds and bitches with their first litters. However, puppies are often not affected by eclampsia because their nutritional needs, including calcium, are being taken care of by their mother.

 

In addition, the symptoms typically become apparent in the first 40 days after giving birth, and rarely occurs during pregnancy.

 

Symptoms and Types

 

• Poor maternal behavior
• Restlessness, nervousness
• Disorientation
• Panting, whining
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Clumsy walking, stiff gait
• Facial itchiness
• Muscle tremors, tetany (entire body goes stiff), convulsions
• Dog lies down with paws rigidly extended (usually seen 8–12 hours after the first onset of symptoms)
• High body temperature, fever
• Rapid, heavy breathing
• Dilated pupils which are slow to contract when exposed to light

 

Causes

 

• Calcium supplementation during pregnancy
• Inappropriate calcium to phosphorous ratio in the diet while pregnant
• Low body weight to litter size ratio
• Poor nutrition during pregnancy
• First litter

 

 

Diagnosis

 

You will need to provide a thorough history of your dog's health leading up to the onset of symptoms. Make sure to provide your veterinarian with the type of pregnancy supplement you have been giving to your dog, and details of the diet you have been feeding her.

 

Standard tests will include a chemical blood profile, complete blood count and an electrolyte panel. As soon as the electrolyte panel is ready, the total serum calcium will be verified by a blood test. If the concentration is less than 7 mg/dL, your dog will be diagnosed with eclampsia and will be given calcium supplementation immediately. Low blood sugar and low blood magnesium levels may also be present. These can also be supplemented. Serum potassium is high in 56 percent of cases. An electrocardiogram (ECG) showing the heart's electrical rhythm will often be abnormal.

 

Treatment

 

This is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, but it can be treated quickly and the dog's health stabilized if she is treated as soon as symptoms become apparent. If your dog has a high fever, your veterinarian will try to cool her down with a cool water soak and fan to bring the body temperature down to a normal range. Your veterinarian will treat your dog with intravenous calcium until her levels have increased to a safe level, and until her body alone is able to maintain calcium levels.

 

Your veterinarian will advise you to take the puppies away to prevent them from nursing, to be hand fed with a commercial milk for 24 hours, or until the mother’s serum calcium is stabilized. If, after the mother stabilizes, you opt to let the puppies continue nursing, you will need to return to your veterinarian to monitor calcium levels in your dog's blood. Depending on whether her body is able to begin producing sufficient amounts of calcium on its own, she may need to remain on calcium supplements for some time. Your doctor will determine this.

 

Living and Management

 

If the puppies are not hand-raised and continue to nurse, it is very likely that your dog will need to be given calcium supplements for the duration of the nursing period, until the puppies have been weaned. Her serum calcium levels will need to be monitored frequently through the nursing period. Ensuring that she eats a diet containing a 1 to 1 or 1 to 2 calcium to phosphorus ratio, before pregnancy and during pregnancy, will help to prevent eclampsia with future litters.

 

Calcium supplementation must also be avoided while your dog is pregnant, unless specifically prescribed by your veterinarian. Also advised is avoiding high phytate foods, such as soybean mean, barley, rice, wheat bran and wheat germ, as high phytate foods can interfere with the body's absorption of calcium.