Disease Description: Convulsions usually seen around the time of parturition (whelping).

Inherit Mode: -

Disease Symptom: Signs include whining, excessive salivation, restlessness, muscle tremors and rigidity, disorientation, aggression, and, eventually, stiff gait, high fever (>104°F), and convulsions. Some dogs with eclampsia may have not manifest typical clinical signs.

Disease Cause: -

Disease Diagnose: -

Treat Method: Immediate veterinary treatment is needed for dogs with this life-threatening condition. Therapy consists of intravenous calcium and if needed sodium bicarbonate and glucose. Following initial treatment after the acute crisis, calcium supplements are given for the rest of the lactation. The puppies should be removed from the female dog and hand nursed until weaned. No further treatment should be required for the female dog other than a well balanced diet and close monitoring. Prevention of eclampsia is based on solid nutrition using a diet suitable for the pregnant and lactating female dog. The addition of calcium supplements or diets excessively high in calcium may exert a negative biofeedback on the secretion of hormones by the parathyroid glands that control calcium metabolism. This effect can cause a decrease in both the body's capabilities to mobilize calcium stores from bone and its ability to increase calcium absorption in the intestine.

Breeder Advice: -

Disease Description Source: Link