calcium during pregnancy

[chris nanney]

I've recently read some threads on other boards that recommend a food with the appropriate calcium levels for large breed puppies to be fed to expectant mothers during pregnancy.

On some level this makes sense, however, I thought that mature dogs naturally excreted excess calcium. Wouldn't this hold true for expectant mothers?

I have read (don't remember where) not to supplement extra calcium to expectant mothers, so perhaps this is where the idea of feeding foods with appropriate levels of ca to pregnant dogs comes from.

 

[Sherrie]

Be very careful giving calcium during pregnancy. There are thoughts that this can cause uterine inertia. Then a c-section would be needed.

 

[Pipelineozzy]

I would be less worried about uterine inertia than I would be about eclampsia. Calcium supplements during pregnancy artificially elevate serum calcium levels, which causes the parathyroid glands (which regulate calcium levels) to become inactive. When nursing and calcium must be mobilized for milk production, the body does not respond appropriately and the serum calcium level of the bitch can drop to dangerous levels...causing eclampsia - which is life threatening if not treated immediately. It's more common in small breed dogs, but I have seen it in one of my Newfs, and it was VERY scary. I now continue to feed them exactly the same amount of calcium proportionatley as I do normally throughout the whole pregnancy.

 

[janices]

Be very careful giving calcium during pregnancy. There are thoughts that this can cause uterine inertia. Then a c-section would be needed.

Yes, that's my understanding too. C-section would be needed.

 

[ardeagold]

I'd also worry about eclampsia.

Feeding the proper food is important. I've heard not to feed All Life Stages food.

(However Orijen is different...there's something about it on their site)

 

[Sherrie]

Eclampsia in dogs starts after the puppies are born.

You might want to check out the following:

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/eclampsia-in-dogs/page1.aspx


Eclampsia is the sudden onset of clinical signs associated with low blood calcium levels (hypocalcemia) that occur in lactating (nursing) bitches. It is caused by loss of calcium in the milk and is often combined with poor dietary calcium intake. This condition is different from eclampsia in women, which is related to blood pressure abnormalities prior to birth.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+1628&aid=1505

Over-supplementation of calcium during pregnancy may increase the risk of eclampsia. There is a complex way the body maintains the proper amount of calcium in the blood. The body is constantly adding calcium to bones and then removing it, as needed. This is regulated by a hormone produced by the parathyroid gland, called parathyroid hormone. If a dog receives increased amounts of calcium during pregnancy, her body's production of parathyroid hormone greatly decreases. When the dog suddenly needs large amounts of calcium for milk production, the system is not ready to start removing it from the bone. This is because it takes some time for the parathyroid gland to start producing the hormone again. Because of the lack in parathyroid hormone, the blood calcium level suddenly drops, and produces the signs of eclampsia.

 

[janices]

I'd also worry about eclampsia.

Feeding the proper food is important. I've heard not to feed All Life Stages food.

(However Orijen is different...there's something about it on their site)

Most no grain foods have higher amounts of calcium. Orijen's the only one I've seen that has the calcium/phospherous levels lower and states the minerals are natural sourced and calcium/phospherous is organic on their website.

 

[Pipelineozzy]

Eclampsia in dogs starts after the puppies are born.


Yes, and in virtually every case I have seen, small and large breed, it's been when the pups were about a week old...as the demand on milk starts to increase with their size.

Symptoms are usually a loss of interest in the pups, restlessness, nervousness, a stiff gait, and as it progresses, trembling. Their temperature can shoot up dangerously high very rapidly..up to 107. They can become comatose. This is a TRUE EMERGENCY...and calcium must be given IV, while monitoring the heart. In my Newf bitch, she was never able to nurse the litter again, as she would begin all over. She received subcutaneous calcium after the initial IV bolus for over a week, as well as oral calcium supplementation. Some bitches can return to nursing, but they have to be observed very carefully until you know that they will remain stable. I just did a whole lot of bottle feeding, and put shirts on her so that she could still care for her pups but not feed them. It was not fun, and it was a VERY scary experience.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

I also follow the no calcium for a pregnant bitch rule because of uterine inertia and eclapsia after the pups are born. Calcium can be given once labor starts with an injection, Tums, Calsorb, or some use vanilla ice cream. I do not feed puppy food during pregnancy either.

 

[Pipelineozzy]

I don't do "no calcium"...just the normal level that I would feed to a non-pregnant bitch. Interestingly, the female that I had that had eclampsia was the fastest whelping I have ever seen, 7 pups in 3 hours, and she was done - absolutely no sign of primary uterine inertia. Her problem showed up when her pups started to really demand more.