Aggression toward Newborn Puppies

NOTE: Consult your veterinarian prior to ANY treatment!

The "condition" is most appropriately called "pre-tetanic eclampsia". Most breeders are familiar with eclampsia, which is a calcium deficiency which occurs in nursing bitches and is very serious. This pre-tetanic form occurs prior to / during / just after whelping. The symptoms can include lazy whelping and inertia, agitation of the bitch, growling and aggression toward pups, all in varying degrees. The treatment is "Calphosan" (calcium) given sub-Q every 3-4 hours for 2-3 days usually (dosage for a 75 lb. bitch would be 1 1/4 CC each time). In those recent cases that I have heard of, that received this treatment, the bitches settled down and cared for their pups within a day!

I have experienced this in the past with a bitch who exhibited all these symptoms (except for whelping problems although she did slow down a lot at the end) and it was awful! She had to be kept seperate from her pups until they were several days old. She acted like she wanted to care for them but was very agitated and would hurt the pups if given a chance. There was NO advice given to me that helped so I had to wing it and keep the pups safe. My bitch did settle down and turned out to be an attentive excellent mother that adored her pups! But we always went through what I called "hell week" first. In hindsight, I wonder if her tendency to not eat well during pregnancy, combined with her body chemistry, caused this. She then would start to eat well about 2-3 days after whelping and so maybe ingested enough calcium to "level" things out? (I am guessing here and she is gone now.)

It seems that this condition is almost unknown to the average veterinarian. It also seems (sadly) that many are un-willing to learn about it even when it is a possible problem in one of their patients. My own vet (and the one also used by the breeder friend that learned about this from the terrier breeder/vet) has been most open to learning about this, but tells me it is almost impossible to find published information. Another friend in a different part of the country recently contacted me, describing this condition in her whelping bitch. I forwarded her this information and told her to call her vet. Long story, but I believe THREE vets basically refused to LEARN anything new, a puppy was ultimately killed, and a lot of extra work and stress went into raising that litter and keeping the rest of the pups safe!

From what I have learned the last year or so and seen in the last 15 years, I believe this is a little-known medical condition that is fairly prevalent in our breed, maybe in many breeds. Certainly there will be cases of bitch aggression that is not related to this condition. And again, I am not a vet. I have asked the breeder that first told me about this to ask the "knowledgeable" vet to write an article for the ACC Bulletin as I believe this is an important subject for us to know about. He has promised to do this and hopefully I can get it published. It would help to hear from others that have experienced similar problems. I think many do not want to talk about this, not knowing what it is, for fear their bitch will be labeled an aggressive mother! But maybe this is the first step toward knowledge that saves others from the horrible experience some breeders go through and ends the trauma that these poor bitches are being subjected to.

Diane Mazy

Eclampsia (Milk Fever or Puerperal Tetany)

by Race Foster, DVM and Marty Smith, DVM
Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

Eclampsia is an acute, life-threatening disease caused by low calcium levels (hypocalcemia) in dogs and more rarely in cats. The lactating animal is especially susceptible to blood calcium depletion because of lactating. The bodies of some lactating dogs and cats simply cannot keep up with the increased demands for this mineral that they receive from their diet. Please remember that the diet may be fine for these affected individuals, but they lack the ability to quickly shunt calcium to their milk without depleting their own bodies.

Eclampsia is most commonly encountered 1-3 weeks after giving birth, but it can occur anytime, even while pregnant. Litters do not need to be large to cause eclampsia but usually heavy milkers are at a greater risk, as are dogs of smaller breeds. The puppies and kittens themselves are not affected as the mother’s milk appears to be normal during this period.

Signs of eclampsia

Eclampsia is a very serious disorder but fortunately the signs are fairly easy to recognize, especially when coupled with the period of lactation. Initially, the affected animal will be restless and nervous. Within a short time, she will walk with a stiff gait and may even wobble or appear disoriented. Eventually the animal may be unable to walk and exhibit extreme leg rigidity. Body temperature may increase to over 105° F and respiration rates will increase. At this point death can occur if no treatment is given.

Treatment of eclampsia

If you suspect eclampsia, seek veterinary attention at once and prevent the puppies or kittens from nursing for at least 24 hours. Supplement them with a commercial milk replacer. A veterinarian can confirm eclampsia with a blood test to determine blood calcium levels. Eclampsia can be rapidly corrected by your veterinarian through the use of intravenous calcium supplementation. The bitch or queen is monitored carefully for heart rhythm irregularities which can occur. She will be continued on oral calcium supplements as needed.

If she responds well to treatment, her young can gradually be allowed to nurse.

Prevention of eclampsia

Inappropriate calcium supplementation can predispose a bitch or queen to develop eclampsia.
Once a female has had milk fever during a lactation period, there is an excellent chance that it will repeat with future litters if preventative steps are not taken. Supplementation of dietary calcium does not seem to play a large role in preventing eclampsia. In fact, over-supplementation during pregnancy may actually cause it. All calcium supplements must be in the proper ratio with phosphorus. This ratio should be about 1:1 (i.e., 1 part calcium to 1 part phosphorus). In addition, it has been suggested that dog foods high in soybeans will be high in the plant product phytate. Phytates combine with calcium and can render the calcium unavailable to the bitch’s body and therefore make her more susceptible to eclampsia. To remedy the problem, feed diets low in soybean.

In conclusion, it is of great importance for breeders to be able to recognize the signs of eclampsia. If you feel your female is showing these signs, remove the kittens or pups to prevent further nursing and seek veterinary assistance at once.

© 2000 Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from PetEducation.com (http://www.PetEducation.com)
On-line store at http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com
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You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours,
faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
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