Eclampsia (Puerperal Tetany, Milk Fever, Hypocalcemia) In Cats Symptoms and Treatments

Eclampsia is a muscular spasm associated with a low serum calcium. It is called milk fever because it usually occurs several days to several weeks postpartum, when there is a steady drain on the body's calcium stores because of nursing. It is more likely to occur in queens with large litters. It is much less common in cats than in dogs.

The first signs of eclampsia are restlessness, anxiety, rapid breathing and pale mucous membranes. A queen frequently leaves her kittens and begins to pace up and down. Her gait is stiff-legged, uncoordinated and jerky. Tightening of the face muscles exposes the teeth and gives the face a pinched look. As the condition worsens, she falls to her side, exhibits spasms in which she kicks all four legs and salivates profusely.

The temperature is often elevated to as high as 106 degree F. This causes more panting, wash out carbon dioxide, raises the pH level of the blood and lowers the serum calcium even further. If there is no treatment within 12 hrs, the queen will die. Certain queens seem predisposed to milk fever. If your queen has had milk fever in the past, ask your veterinarian about supplementing her diet with calcium during last half of pregnancy.

Treatment: Milk fever is an emergency. Notify your vet at once. Intravenous calcium gluconate is a specific antidote indicated at the 1st signs of tetany. If the rectal temperature is over 104 degree F, treat as you would for heat stroke.

Take the kittens away from the queen for 24 hours and feed them by hand. If they are at least 3 weeks of age, they can be weaned. Younger kittens may be returned to the queen when she has recovered completely if you limit nursing to no more than 30 minutes intervals, 2-3 times a day. If there are no adverse effects, these restrictions can be gradually relaxed over the next 48 hours until a normal routine is established. Mothers who must continue nursing should be supplemented with calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D.

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