Eclampsia in Pets & Supplements

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Eclampsia in pets is a life threatening situation in both dogs and cats and can be almost epileptic like in nature. It is a true emergency that must be treated as soon as you recognize the symptoms. If not treated, it could take your pet very quickly leaving the litter without a mother.

This condition is also referred to as milk fever, puerperal tetany, and hypocalcemia. It is not as common in cats as it is in dogs, but it is still a threat to lactating cats.

The symptoms in cats will be different than in dogs, but it all centers around your lactating or nursing pet’s body not being able to keep up with the demand of calcium their body is putting out.

With eclampsia in pets, your pet simply cannot move the calcium into their milk supply fast enough; and as a result it is depleting their body and blood levels of calcium very rapidly.

Calcium reserves are constantly called upon in your pet’s body and if there is a deficiency your pets system will actually draw calcium reserves from the skeleton. But with Eclampsia, that is not the problem.

The problem is that the nursing pet is putting very large amounts of calcium ions into the production of milk, and the production of milk by nature takes priority over the blood stream.

These calcium ions have a tremendous amount of influence in your pets body on both nerve transmission and muscle control and this is now not only is being jeopardized, it has become life threatening as it diminishes.

Eclampsia in pets will most always occur within the first couple of weeks of nursing but it can also occur before pregnancy where it is referred to as pre-eclampsia.

There is a lot of misconception that large litters cause this life threatening situation. That can be the cause, but smaller breeds; especially in dogs, are at a much higher risk.

Symptoms:

In pre-eclampsia, the symptoms will be a very sudden onset of high blood pressure that will be accompanied by Edema. Edema is a swelling that takes place in your pet that is an abnormal accumulation of fluid beneath the skin. High blood pressure combined with this swelling is extremely dangerous in pets.

The symptoms of Eclampsia in cats will be slightly milder than in dogs, but they are still life threatening. At first your cat may appear to be restless and act as they are nervous and they will start to limp as if it their legs hurt.

They not only hurt, they are starting to shut down in their mobility. The legs may actually become rigid, and while all this is happening your cat will develop a very high fever; 105 or higher is not uncommon. With dogs, the same restless and nervous symptoms will appear, but they are more at risk to severe muscle tremors and severe panting that can lead to grand mal seizures. These seizures can simulate epileptic conditions and are very, very serious. Understanding these symptoms may save your pets life.

Causes:

The cause of Eclampsia in pets is hypocalcaemia which are low blood calcium levels in your pet; however excessive milk production is not always the root of the cause.

Poor nutrition in your pet could also be a contributor. It is very important that your dog or cat has the proper ratio of calcium to phosphorus in their body. If a pet is feed too much protein or this ratio becomes unbalanced it affects the blood calcium levels.

If your pet has any type of a kidney problem, nursing may cause a decrease of albumen in the blood. Albumen is found in the intestinal fluid of muscles and in the joints of the serous cavities and a deficiency can cause the severe cramps that are happening in your pet.

But in most all cases it is the excessive milk production.

Treatment:

There are two types of treatments for Eclampsia in pets that owners will have to consider; one will be for the mother and the other will be for the litter.

Your first concern will be to get your pet to the veterinarian as quickly as you can. Although this disease if life threatening it can very easily be treated. Treatment will most likely consist of an intravenous calcium gluconate or an oral form, depending on the severity to raise the blood sugar level back up. Once stabilized, your pet will have to have both calcium supplements as well as vitamin D supplements to help with the absorption of the calcium into the blood stream.

Your next concern will be the litter. Both puppies and kittens can very easily be fed with a commercial milk replacer for as long as needed. Most nursing mothers can be returned to normal within a few days. However, there are mixed opinions about allowing your pet to resume nursing.

That decision can and should only be made by your veterinarian as they will want to make absolutely certain that the proper levels calcium have been restored to protect both the mother as well as the litter.

Prevention:

In preventing Eclampsia in pets the worst thing you could do for your pet that is pregnant is to over supplement them. Calcium is critical to nursing pregnant dogs and cats, but there is a very delicate balance of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D that will be required.

CALCIUM FOR DOGS AND CATS

Feeding your pet too much meat and protein can be as bad as over supplementing them and could cause Eclampsia in pets.

If you are going to supplement, make sure you understand the balance and provide for all three. Milk fed to a pregnant cat or dog can also help, just monitor their lactose response and watch for loose bowels or diarrhea.

Weaning the litter as soon as you can also helps to protect your pet against this very serious condition as well as supplementing the litter with a milk replacer as soon as possible, especially in small breeds of dogs or pets with large litters as they will help to prevent Eclampsia in pets.

Eclampsia in Pets & Pet Meds RX