Symptoms of postpartum hypocalcemia in dogs

Postpartum hypocalcemia. Most of them appear around 15 days after delivery, usually without any symptoms and suddenly onset. The affected dogs showed restlessness, excitement, a rigid gait, sometimes howling, unsteady standing, tonic twitching of muscles all over the body, foaming at the mouth, difficulty breathing, visual cyanosis of the mucous membranes, and an increase in body temperature above 40°C, and some dogs could reach 42℃. The vast majority of dogs have tonic convulsions without interruption. Without timely rescue treatment or misdiagnosis, death can occur within a few hours.

Diagnosis of postpartum hypocalcemia in dogs

The diagnosis can be confirmed based on clinical symptoms and blood tests. Serum calcium test is below 7 mg.

Treatment of postpartum hypocalcemia in dogs

1. Intravenous infusion of 10% calcium gluconate is a very effective treatment method. In general, 1/2 calcium infusion can relieve most symptoms, and complete calcium infusion can eliminate symptoms. 10% calcium gluconate injection 0.3g/kg body weight, 30 ml/kg glucose saline, mixed intravenous drip. Once a day for 2-3 days.

2. Treat symptomatically, reduce fever and prevent pulmonary edema.
3. Reduce the frequency of breastfeeding and gradually transition to artificial breastfeeding.
4. Improve the feeding formula of female dogs and give them food rich in calcium.​