18 Nepean News 6 February 2014 Issue 117
Milk Fever in Nursing Mothers - What You Should Know
Nepean
Veterinary REPORT with Dr Tony Karolis phone 4733 3456
SENIOR VETERINARIAN NEPEAN & MOUNTAINS ANIMAL HOSPITAL
By Dr. Claire Petterson
RECENTLY at WellPet Vets we met Roxy, a 6 year old Jack Russell cross. Roxy came in with shaking and wobbliness, which had occurred suddenly. Roxy was currently nursing seven pups, which had been born three weeks ago. We were suspicious of low blood calcium levels, and did a blood test
which confirmed Roxy’s calcium levels were low. She was treated with careful administration of intravenous calcium. She responded very well to treatment, and was soon walking and behaving normally again. She made a full recovery and went home on oral calcium supplements the next day. Roxy had a lucky escape! Hypocalcaemia, also known as milk fever or eclampsia, is an emergency condition. It occurs when calcium demands by the body are not met by diet and internal mobilisation of calcium from the bones. Producing milk for puppies increases demand for calcium, which is why this condition is seen most commonly seen during the first three weeks after birth, although it may occur in late pregnancy as well. Toy breeds, mothers of first litters and those with large litters are more prone to hypocalcaemia. The puppies themselves are not usually affected as the milk is normal – the mother does not save enough calcium for herself, she gives it all to her puppies! Signs of low blood calcium include nervousness, panting, vomiting, diarrhoea, stiff gait, high temperature, muscle tremors, shaking and convulsions. Once the mother has been treated, the puppies should be weaned if possible. If too young to be weaned, they should be fed a supplemental diet as well to decrease
Roxy after her treatment
the amount of milk needed from the mother. The mother should be fed unlimited high quality puppy food and an oral calcium supplement if the episode was severe. Supplementing calcium to the diet during pregnancy can actually increase the risk of hypocalcaemia developing after birth. This is due to how the body regulates calcium levels. Normally calcium levels are maintained from a combination of diet and from absorption from the dogs’ own bones. If a dog has been receiving large amounts of calcium, the body uses less from
the skeleton. This means if the need for calcium suddenly increases, as occurs during lactation, the dog’s system doesn’t respond quickly enough to start removing it from the bones again, and hypocalcaemia can occur. For this reason, calcium supplementation during pregnancy is not recommended. Feeding a good quality puppy food during pregnancy should provide sufficient calcium. Remember this is an emergency condition. If you suspect dog your dog has milk fever, do not delay in bringing them to a veterinary hospital. We are always available.