Eclampsia in the Dog : An Overview

Abstract

Eclampsia is an acute, life-threatening disease caused by low blood calcium levels (hypocalcaemia) in dogs and more rarely in cats. The causes of Eclampsia are poor nutrition, low blood level of albumin, excessive milk production and disease of parathyroid gland. Imbalance between the rates of in flow and out flow from the extra cellular fluid calcium because of the increased loss into the milk appears to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of puerperal tetany in the bitches. Normally the condition is diagnosed by careful investigation, recording proper history, correlating the clinical signs, response to therapy in most cases and confirming the condition with laboratory diagnosis. Generally, 5-10 ml of 10% calcium gluconate will provide sufficient calcium for a bitch weighing between five and ten Kg. Dietary supplements of calcium and vitamin D are useful in preventing relapse of the disease after treatment and prevention of the disease.

Hematobiochemical Alterations and Therapeutic Management of Puerperal Tetany in Bitch

“…Lactating small breeds of bitches, more susceptible to puerperal tetany, similarly reported by Pathan et al, 2011 andAlok et al, 2017. The clinical observations in the present study was in accordance with the Johnson et al, 2009.…”

“…Animals with puerperal tetany lack the ability to quickly move calcium into their milk without depleting their own blood levels of this mineral. Smaller breeds of dogs are more prone to the disease as compared to the larger breeds (Pathan et al, 2011). The disease has been reported to be more frequently observed in small, hyper excitable breeds of dogs.…”

“…Low blood calcium is the result of reduction of calcium levels outside the cells of the bitch's body. The disease most commonly occurs in bitches 1-3 weeks after giving birth but the cases are also sometimes observed during gestation (Pathan et al, 2011). It may also occur occasionally during late pregnancy or at parturition (Catharina, 2005).…”

“…Eclampsia is an acute, life-threatening disease caused by low blood calcium levels (hypocalcaemia) in dogs and more rarely in cats (Pathan et al, 2011). There is lesser documentation of hypocalcaemia in dogs and cats as compared to cattle (Rowland et al, 1972).…”

Calcium and phosphorus metabolism in peripartal dogs

“…In dogs, reports of eclampsia or puerperal tetany phase exist but are less frequent than in other species (Pathan et al, ). Reports show that small or toy breeds are overrepresented (Pathan et al, ) as well as dogs with large litters (Drobatz & Casey, ). A loss of stabilising membrane bound calcium leads to an increased permeability of the membranes, which are therefore more easily depolarised.…”