ECLAMPSIA in DOGS(PUERPERAL TETANY)

BY Dr.P.CHANDRA MOHAN

RVM/09-19

ECLEMPSIA in dogs is an acute life threatening condition caused by hypocalcaemia in lactating bitches

In most studies eclampsic dogs are severely hypocalcaemia with Ca levels <6.5 mg/dl in blood

This condition usually occurs with in 21 days after whelping occasionally during late pregnancy or at parturition

PREDISPOSING CAUSES

Toy and small breeds most commonly affectedLarge litter size

Highest incidence with the first litter

Poor nutrition during pregnancy and lactation

Possibly worsened by use of calcium supplements during pregnancy

Seen most commonly two to three weeks after-birth, although can be seen as late as six weeks after whelping (giving birth)

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Ionized Ca is involved in release of acetylcholine

during neuromuscular transmission Ca is essential for muscle contraction & stabilizes

nerve cell membrane by decreasing permeability to Na

During hypocalcaemia nervous system becomes more excitable due increases neuronal permeability

Then nerve fibres discharges spontaneously initiating impulses to skeletal muscles where they elicit tetanic contractions

CLINICAL SIGNS

EARLY SIGNS _ restlessness, panting, panting, whining, salivation, tremors and stiffness, unable to walk

SYMPTOMS AGGREVATE TO_ clonic tonic muscle spasms, fever, tachycardia, miosis, seizures, and death

DIAGNOSIS

Clinical symptoms and history of whelping & pregnancy

Serum biochemistry –Ca < 7 mg/ dl

Quick response to treatment with calcium

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

Parathyroid related hypocalcaemiaChronic & acute renal failurePancreatitisHypo albuminemiaIntestinal malabsorption

TREATMENT

Immediate slow i/v infusion of 10% Ca borogluconate @ 1-1.5 ml /kg body wt. or 5-15 mg /kg body wt. careful cardiac monitoring is required for brodycardia and cardiac arrhythmias

Hypoglycemia may fallows hypocalcaemia and 10% dextrose has been recommended

Puppies should be removed from bitch and hand fed with canine milk replacers for 24h .If pups are about 4 weeks of age weaning is recommended

Oral administration of CaCO3 @ 100 mg /kg body wt. per day in divided doses

Vit.D supplementation in diet which increases Ca absorption Vit.D2 (eargocalciferol)- 4000-6000 U/kg daily dihydrotachysterol – raises ca conc. quickly 0.03mg/kg/day for two days 0.002mg/kg/day for two days then 0.001mg/kg/day daily

PREVENTION

The best way to prevent eclampsia is to avoid calcium supplementation during pregnancy and to feed the pregnant bitch a well-balanced, good quality food.

Supplementation of the bitch with calcium may be helpful once the puppies are delivered and are beginning to nurse

THANK YOU