A female canine patient that recently gave birth was suffering from eclampsia, a life-threatening condition caused by low blood calcium levels (hypocalcemia). The dog had a very low calcium blood level leading to tremors and tachycardia. She was brought to Aycardo Veterinary Center Inc. (AVCI) for emergency treatment.
Eclampsia usually occurs in nursing dogs, especially small breeds or those with large litters. It can cause weakness, tremors, collapse, or seizures. It is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention. It is diagnosed by the dog’s symptoms, the age of the puppies, and a calcium blood test.
The possible cause of eclampsia in dogs is a severe calcium deficiency due to the high demand for calcium during lactation. This imbalance in calcium metabolism occurs because calcium mobilization from bone into the serum pool is insufficient to compensate for the efflux of calcium via the mammary glands during lactation. Other possible causes include:
- Calcium supplementation during pregnancy.
- Not receiving a balanced premium diet designed for reproduction or growth while pregnant and nursing.
- A hormonal problem with the parathyroid gland
The dog was treated intravenously with “calcium borogluconate (CBG)” instead of the usual and common “calcium gluconate”. CBG is a synthetic compound prepared by the reaction of five parts calcium gluconate to one part boric acid in an aqueous solution. Calcium gluconate is also a synthetic compound prepared by the reaction of gluconic acid with calcium hydroxide. Gluconic acid may be synthesized or produced by fermentation.
The advantages of CBG over calcium gluconate are:
- CBG has improved solubility and shelf life compared to calcium gluconate.
- CBG has a higher concentration of elemental calcium than calcium gluconate (8.5% vs 9.3%).
- CBG may have less adverse effects on the heart than calcium gluconate.
The patient responded and recovered within an hour after receiving CBG. She showed no signs of distress. She was then discharged with oral calcium supplements and instructions to feed a high-quality diet formulated for pregnant and nursing dogs that is rich in essential vitamins and minerals.
This case illustrates the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment of eclampsia in dogs, as well as the potential benefits of using CBG over calcium gluconate. AVCI is proud to provide quality veterinary care for its patients and their owners.
References
- Eclampsia in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/eclampsia-in-dogs.
- Eclampsia in Small Animals – MSD Veterinary Manual. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/metabolic-disorders/disorders-of-calcium-metabolism/eclampsia-in-small-animals.
- Calcium Borogluconate – Agricultural Marketing Service. https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Calcium%20Borogluconate%20TR.pdf.
- Milk fever: new approaches to treatment and control (Proceedings) – dvm360. https://www.dvm360.com/view/milk-fever-new-approaches-treatment-and-control-proceedings.
- What is eclampsia in dogs? – Vet Help Direct. https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2021/01/31/what-is-eclampsia-in-dogs/.
- Eclampsia in Dogs – The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/eclampsia-in-dogs-4777433.
- Eclampsia in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment – PetCareRx. https://www.petcarerx.com/article/eclampsia-in-dogs-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/6862.
- Is Calcium Glouconate As Same As Calcium Borogluconate? – HealthCentral. https://www.healthcentral.com/article/calcium-glouconate-calcium-borogluconate.
