Puerperal Hypocalcemia in lactating bitches

Puerperal hypocalcemia is seen in bitches 15 days onward after whelping.. Hypocalcemia may also occur only some days after whelping. Average blood concentrations of calcium in dogs is 8.4 t - 11.2 mg / ml. excessive suckling from puppies of mother’s lactation system is overloaded, calcium in the blood is suddenly imbalanced , reduced to below 8.0 mg / ml of blood. The disease occurs rapidly, supplement of calcium in bitches dunring lactation are not effective for prevention of the disease.

1. Etiology and clinical signs
Suckling a large amount of milk at a time results in blood calcium levels drop below 8.0 mg/ml leading to the imbalance of calcium (hypocalcemia), disorders of CNS, heat regulation center, respiratory system, circulatory system and muscular system.
Note: this is not a "calcium deficiency" that often occurs in puppies under six months of age due to lack of sunlight and less exercise and is a chronic disease.
Puerperal Hypocalcemia is an acute disease that is characterized by high fever (over 41^oC) seizures, panting, panic, tremor, stiffness, ataxia. Rapid death occurs if the bitches.are not treated in time.
- Puerperal Hypocalcemia is commonly seen bitches that are in good lactating good nursing and very fond of caring for their puppies and the puppies are very fat (called "chubby"), or the litter is too large ( Puppies are over two months) still suckle. Total weight of puppies is over 30% of the mother's weight, there are even in several cases, the total weight of puppies is higher than the mother's weight. Therefore in naturally raised dogs, to protect themselves, the mother dogs usually flee from their puppies by jumping onto high ground so that the puppies can not suckle any more.
Differential diagnoses include other causes of seizures such as distemper that progresses more slowly, the incubation period is longer, the temperature is not high and dogs of all age can be affected. Tetanus should also be excluded, in this disease there is word, It is characterized by muscle stiffness that usually involves the jaw. Puerperal Hypocalcemia should be differentiated with rabies. In this disease there are sites of bite, the affected animals run disorientedly, there is sign of difficulty breathing but the affected usually attack people and other animals

2. Treatment

- The affected bitches should immediately be isolated from their puppies. - Bath or cold water massages should be performed to lower temperature.
B12-BUTA MG.CA is I.M administered at dose of 1ml/ 12-15 kg B.w

Calcium chloride 10% (500mg/ 5ml tube) is I.V administered at dosage of 1-2 ml. to dog< 5kg, 3-5 5 ml to dog at 10kg 5-8ml. to dog >10kg .
Note: IV injection should be slowly performed, Calcium chloride must not IM be injected, since severe necrosis may occur. If extravasation or accidental injection into perivascular tissues.It is injected every 4-6 hours
- Afer calcium chloride injection, the clinical signs of mother dogs are improved, I.V Infusion of Glucose solution 5-10% or Lactated Ringer solution (sea water) can be performed.
3. Caring

- Mother dogs are kept in cool, ventilated place. Fed with light meal, provided with fresh milk and rice porridge with minced pork
- If puppies themselves can eat (over 25 days of age) they should immediately wean.
- If puppies are still very young (<15 days of age), they may be allowed to suckle their mother under the control of people - command suckling
Mother dogs and their puppies should not confine in dog house or a narrow place ad libitum suckling of puppies will cause fever and seize at any time in mother dogs.
- After the mother dogs become better, they will find their puppies and nurse them. Puppies should be isolated and mọther dogs should be allowed to take a rest at least for 4 hours

(Translated by Dr. Pham Duc Chuong, R & D Dept, Marphavet Corp)

Author: TranTuyen.MPV