Eclampsia :: milk fever in dogs

Eclampsia, or milk fever, is an acute, life-threatening condition which occurs about 3 to 4 weeks after whelping puppies. It is more common in small breeds of dogs that have had large litters.

Symptoms of eclampsia include stiffness, nervousness and restlessness. The brood bitch will loose interest in her puppies. She will very likely run a fever and have a rapid heart rate. In really severe cases of eclampsia the brood-bitch will have muscle spasms or seizures, and be unable to walk. Eclampsia, is commonly known as milk fever. It is caused by low blood calcium at a time when the body needs to produce calcium-rich milk and it is treated by administering 10% calcium gluconate injections intravenously at 0.25-0.75ml/pound/hour. The brood-bitch will usually return to normal in less than fifteen minutes after treatment.

In really severe cases of eclampsia it may be necessary to wean the puppies or place their mother on a calcium supplement for the remainder of the lactation. Giving the brood-bitch heavy calcium supplements during pregnancy does not prevent eclampsia, and can actually cause it to reoccur during future pregnancies.