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Re: Lactating bitch in trouble . Eclampsia, calcium deficiency or infection?

Jenny, I'm so glad she is responding to oral calcium.
What were you feeding her before her whelp and currently? Did you give calcium during her whelp?

I ask these questions because my bitch got into
trouble because I had fed her a dog food that I did not know was high in calcium while she was pregnant and afterward. The high calcium diet suppressed her parathyroid function; when greater calcium was
needed for milk production, she leached it from her own
blood stream and bones to provide the calcium. Then she developed eclampsia because she did not have sufficient calcium for herself and for milk production.

I tell you this because it is possible to provide so
much calcium that you suppress the parathyroid gland. The sole purpose of the parathyroid gland is to regulate calcium in the blood in a very tight range.

I learned a lot the hard way. Before supplementing with calcium, find out how much calcium your dog food contains and check with your reproductive vet. It is possible to get eclampsia because of oversupplementation of calcium.

Re: Lactating bitch in trouble . Eclampsia, calcium deficiency or infection?

I'm glad it wasn't metritis. Eclampsia is an easier fix. I hope she continues to respond well to treatment.

Re: Lactating bitch in trouble . Eclampsia, calcium deficiency or infection?

Addie's still doing well. For now, I'm giving 1 Tum (750 mg) twice/day.

I've been feeding Premium Edge Chicken & Rice Adult for years, never had this problem before. I checked the bag and calcium is way down the list, 8th from the end, so can't be much but I'm going to e-mail and find out exactly how much. I did not supplement calcium prior to whelping, nor during whelp as I did a section.

Have to say it's so nice to get input from breeders on this list ... Even after 20+ years, I encounter things for the first time and it's so helpful to get brainstorming going. Thanks to all of you.
Jenny