What Is Eclampsia?
Eclampsia, also called milk fever or puerperal tetany, is a life-threatening drop in blood calcium (hypocalcemia) in a mother dog or cat. Producing milk pulls large amounts of calcium from her body, and if she cannot replace it fast enough, her nerves and muscles start to misfire. It most often strikes one to four weeks after giving birth, when milk production peaks, but it can also appear in late pregnancy or during labor.
Small and toy breeds nursing large litters are at highest risk, including Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles, Miniature Pinschers, Shih Tzus, Yorkshire Terriers, and Pomeranians. First-time mothers, poorly nourished mothers, and dogs given calcium supplements during pregnancy are also more likely to be affected. It is less common in cats. If your dog is expecting, our guide to dog pregnancy stages explains what to watch for before and after the birth.
Why it matters
Eclampsia can progress from restlessness to seizures within hours. With fast veterinary treatment most mothers recover fully, but without it the condition can be fatal.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Heavy milk demand from a large litter relative to the mother’s size
- A diet that doesn’t meet pregnancy and nursing needs, such as a regular adult maintenance food
- Calcium supplements during pregnancy, which can blunt the body’s own calcium-regulating hormone so it responds too slowly once nursing begins
- A history of eclampsia in a previous litter, since it often recurs
Signs Owners Notice
- Restlessness, pacing, whining, or nervousness
- Heavy panting and drooling
- Ignoring or moving away from the puppies or kittens
- A stiff, wobbly walk and muscle twitching or trembling
- A high body temperature caused by the muscle tremors
- Seizures, collapse, or rigid legs in advanced cases
Diagnosis and Treatment
Vets usually suspect eclampsia from the timing and signs, and a blood test showing low calcium (ideally ionized calcium) confirms it. Blood sugar is often checked too, since it can also be low. Treatment frequently starts before results come back because the condition is so urgent.
- Intravenous calcium, given slowly while the heart is monitored, often brings rapid improvement within minutes
- Cooling and fluids if the body temperature is dangerously high
- Seizure control and glucose if needed
- Oral calcium and vitamin D support at home for the rest of the nursing period, only as prescribed
- Reducing the nursing load: puppies or kittens may be kept off the mother for 24 hours and hand-fed, or weaned early
Prognosis and Cost Guidance
The outlook is very good when treatment starts early, and most mothers improve within hours. Eclampsia commonly recurs during the same nursing period or in later litters, so your vet may advise against future breeding. In the US, emergency treatment with blood work, IV calcium, and a short hospital stay often runs from several hundred to around $1,500 or more, depending on the clinic and how sick the mother is.
Prevention Tips for US Pet Owners
- Feed a complete and balanced puppy or growth-formula food (or kitten food for cats) from late pregnancy through nursing, and let the mother eat freely.
- Do not give calcium supplements during pregnancy unless your vet specifically advises it.
- Set up a calm, warm whelping box and keep fresh water within easy reach.
- Ask your vet about supplementing puppies with formula if the litter is large.
- Know your nearest emergency practice ahead of the birth; find options through veterinary clinic listings.
When to see a vet
Treat trembling, stiffness, heavy panting, or restlessness in a nursing mother as an emergency and go immediately. Do not give calcium by mouth to a mother who is already shaking or seizing, as she may choke.
Key Takeaways
- Eclampsia is a dangerous drop in blood calcium in nursing mothers, most often small dogs with big litters.
- It typically appears in the first one to four weeks after birth.
- Emergency IV calcium usually works quickly, and good nutrition without unneeded supplements helps prevent it.
FAQ
Is eclampsia the same as milk fever?
Yes. In dogs and cats, milk fever, puerperal tetany, and eclampsia all describe low blood calcium around birth and nursing.
Can cats get eclampsia?
Yes, though it is less common than in dogs. It can occur in late pregnancy or while nursing; see our cat pregnancy guide for general care.
Can the puppies keep nursing after treatment?
Your vet will decide. Many mothers can return to nursing with calcium support, but large litters may need supplemental feeding or early weaning.