A female dog with a dangerously low blood calcium level is called eclampsia.This happens when the mother is producing milk for puppies that are less than a week old.If you have a pregnant dog, you should take precautions to make sure the mother's health and safety are not at risk.It is possible to adjust the pregnant dog's diet and care for the dog while she is nursing to prevent eclampsia.You should watch for any signs of eclampsia in the nursing dog so she can get medical care right away.
Step 1: The dog should be fed a high-quality meat based diet.
A well-balanced diet rich in high-quality meat is the best way to prevent eclampsia in a pregnant dog.Make sure the dam gets enough vitamins and minerals in the food she eats.A common cause of eclampsia is when an owner gives their dog more meat because they think it will do the dog good.The meat alters the calcium:phosphate ratio in the blood and drives down blood calcium levels.Feeding a puppy food in the last part of pregnancy is the best solution.Feed your dog high-quality dog food for the first four to five weeks of her pregnancy.Give your dog 30 to 50% more calories in the last four weeks of her pregnancy.If you don't know what to feed a pregnant dog, you can ask your vet.
Step 2: Do not take calcium supplements.
Giving your dog supplements will increase her risk of eclampsia.The dog should be getting enough vitamins and minerals from her food.If you want to add supplements to her diet, only give her a small amount when she is pregnant.You can give her a balanced source in a small amount.A balanced amount of calcium and phosphorus should be given to your dog.Calcium supplements alone can increase her risk of eclampsia.Milk is a good source of vitamins for your dog.Make sure the milk doesn't make your dog stool.Stop giving it to her if it's true.You can give the dog fish oil to make sure she is getting enough Omega 3s.
Step 3: Ask your vet if you should give the dog something.
In exceptional cases, cortisone has been shown to be helpful in preventing eclampsia in dogs.An injection is the most common form of cortisone.Discuss this preventative measure with your vet.If your dog is still pregnant and you are worried about her developing eclampsia, try to talk to your vet about cortisone treatment.
Step 4: Provide supplements for the dog.
You should give the dog a calcium supplement after she gives birth to the pups.This will make sure her calcium levels don't go down.A large litter of puppies can benefit from it.At your local pet store or online, you can find calcium supplements for dogs.Check the label to make sure the supplement is mostly calcium.If you are unsure about the supplement, speak to your vet.
Step 5: Give the puppies milk.
You should try to get the puppies to have milk replacer within the first 24 hours of birth.Less of a demand on the mother to produce milk for the puppies will reduce her risk of developing eclampsia.When the puppies are three to four weeks old, you should start giving them food.The demand on the mother to produce food for her puppies will be lessened.
Step 6: The puppies are being raised by the mother.
When the puppies are three to four weeks old, they should be taken care of by their mother so they can be self-sufficient and not put the mother at risk of eclampsia.The mother should be separated from the litter for a few hours at a time.Once the puppies are separated from the mother, have them eat high-quality puppy food from a pan.Water or milk replacer can be used to moisten the food.Allowing the puppies to lick the food off your fingers will encourage them to eat from the pan.The puppies will get the hint and feed on their own.Put a bowl of fresh water out for the puppies to drink.This will make sure they stay hydrated.Make sure the mother is on a separate feeding schedule so she doesn't over produce milk.When the mother stops producing milk, you can talk to your vet about how much food to give her.
Step 7: The nursing dog may be panting or nauseatingly.
Within 40 days of giving birth, most dogs show signs of eclampsia.The dog is pregnant and the symptoms of the disorder are not present.The nursing dog may have developed eclampsia if you notice she is panting, whines, or is nauseated.If she is vomiting, you should notice.These are symptoms of eclampsia.
Step 8: Pay attention to how the dog moves.
You should watch how the dog walks.Does she have a hard time walking?Is her body stiff when she tries to move?The mother should be noted if she seems confused, restless, or nervous.It is possible that these are signs of eclampsia.Within 8 to 12 hours of her other symptoms, notice if the nursing dog lies down with her paws extended.This can be a symptom of eclampsia.Sometimes dogs with eclampsia have poor maternal skills and show little interest in the puppies or in nursing them.
Step 9: The nursing dog needs to be checked for its temperature and breathing.
The nursing dog may have a high body temperature.An animal thermometer can be used to confirm that her temperature is higher than normal.Heavy breathing is a symptom of eclampsia.When you look at her temperature and her breathing, you can see that her pupils are dilated and slow to contract.
Step 10: If you suspect eclampsia bring the dog to the vet.
The vet will perform a physical exam on the nursing dog to confirm its symptoms.Once your dog is diagnosed with eclampsia, the vet may recommend a slow injection of calcium solution to treat the issue.They may give the dog supplements to help with the issue, as well as steroid injections.Many nursing dogs recover from eclampsia with the right treatment.