What is eclampsia?
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Eclampsia (postpartum tetany or hypocalcemia) is a condition associated with a life-threatening drop in calcium levels in blood and requiring emergency medical care. This condition is like usually occurs in nursing dogs. Most likely the development of the disease occurs during the period when the puppies are in ages one to five weeks and when the mother produces the greatest amount of milk. Eclampsia does not occur due to general calcium deficiency, this condition indicates that the cat is simply not in able to mobilize calcium fast enough to satisfy your metabolic needs. Bitches that especially attentive to their puppies are thought to be more prone to the development of eclampsia.
Symptoms of preeclampsia are weakness, tremors, and partial paralysis called postpartum tetany, characterized by ossified limbs and inability stand or walk. Eclampsia is considered an emergency when emergency veterinary care required.
How to recognize the development of eclampsia?
Eclampsia is characterized by a high percentage of fatal outcomes, so if you think your dog is in trouble immediately consult your veterinarian. Initial symptoms may be barely distinguishable. The bitch can be restless and start to choke, and You may notice that it moves rigidly and tautly. These symptoms progress pretty quickly into muscle cramps, spanning the whole body that can progress to cramps. Some affected dogs may be disoriented, aggressive and have a high temperature.
If you suspect a dog of eclampsia, prevent feeding puppies and consult your veterinarian immediately. Clinical symptoms of eclampsia become apparent in dogs when the level of calcium in the blood falls below 8.0 mg / dl.
How to treat eclampsia?
Treatment consists of direct intravenous injection. calcium and other drugs. Injections should be given very slowly and carefully. Some dogs require anticonvulsants to control postpartum tetany and cramps. Oral calcium supplementation and weaning puppies necessary, as a rule, for subsequent care. If the diagnosis and treatment was carried out quickly enough, then recovery is usually fast and complete.
How to prevent eclampsia in dogs?
Calcium preparations or cottage cheese supplement for pregnant and lactating dogs are generally not recommended. Excessive use calcium during pregnancy or caring for puppies may suppress production of parathyroid hormones and actually even increase the risk of developing low levels of calcium in the blood or eclampsia.
All pregnant dogs should receive quality feed. designed for lactating and pregnant dogs that are rich essential vitamins and minerals. Nutritional Supplements Containing omega-3 fatty acids such as fish oil are recommended, but they will not help reduce the risk of eclampsia.
