Introduction
Eclampsia is an acute, life-threatening condition in lactating female dogs caused by abnormally low calcium levels. Perceptive breeders notice the unmistakable signs of eclampsia most commonly within the first few weeks after a litter is born. It is during this time that the bitch is producing the most milk and putting the most drain on her calcium stores.
Symptoms of Eclampsia
The symptoms of eclampsia come on suddenly and progress quickly in a healthy, lactating bitch with a thriving litter. The symptoms can be subtle at first and resemble those seen before whelping, including:
- Restlessness
- Nervousness
- Anxiety
- Panting
- Excessive salivation
- Pacing
- Whining
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Ataxia (lack of coordination)
- Muscle tremors or spasms
- Shaking
- Twitching
- Convulsions
- Tightening of facial muscles
- Stiffness
- Aggression
- Hypersensitivity to touch or other stimuli
- Continuous, steady muscle spasms without distinct twitching (called “tetany”) Tetany usually presents as rigidity in the legs, unusual pricking of the ears and/or flaring of the nostrils. The signs of eclampsia can advance to where the dog begins to walk in an abnormal, stilted manner and may seem unable to walk in a specific direction.
- Pale mucous membranes
- Vomiting
- Itchiness (pruritis)
- Head rubbing
- Biting at the feet
- Extreme thirst
- Increased water intake
- Frequent urination
- Increased body temperature (hyperthermia)
If eclampsia is not treated immediately, it will become life-threatening. Respiration eventually becomes compromised, heart arrhythmias develop and the bitch’s condition deteriorates to seizures, paralysis, coma and death.
Dogs at Increased Risk
Eclampsia is diagnosed most frequently in young, small-breed dogs that have given birth to large litters within the prior 2 to 4 weeks, although any age or breed of lactating bitch can be affected. Eclampsia is especially common in toy breeds. The condition also may occur in dogs that go through a particularly difficult or prolonged labor. Risk factors include large litter size, poor nutrition during gestation, stress, underlying systemic illness and excessive calcium supplementation during pregnancy.