A case of periparturient eclampsia and the consequences in a German-shepherd bitch

Abstract

The history of malnutrition and clinical symptoms of high fever, dyspnoea, panting, recumbency, muscular twitching and seizures led to collection of blood samples from a German shepherd bitch on day 60 of gestation at the Veterinary Clinic of Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan. Symptomatic and supportive therapies administered to the bitch included; milk with glucose to re-energise, copious volume of water for rehydration, diazepam to abolish seizures and stabilize the bitch. The laboratory results showed haematological parameters to be normal, while serum biochemical indices indicated very low serum calcium (5.5 mg/dl), phosphorus (1.8 mg/dl), potassium (2.7 mg/dl), glucose (45.5 mg/dl), total protein (53.5 g/dl) and albumin (23.2 g/dl) when compared with the normal physiological values (10.60 to 11.60 mg/dl, 4.60 to 5.50 mg/dl, 4.46 to 4.94 mg/dl, 86.10 to 104.60 mg/dl, 62.00 to 80.00 g/dl and 30.10 to 42.20 g/dl respectively) of a healthy German shepherd bitch. The post mortem findings were metritis, accumulation of exudates in the lungs and brain. The resultant hypocalcaemia from dietary deficiency of calcium, precipitated seizures, recumbency, dystocia and thereafter loss of puppies and eventually the bitch.  It is, therefore, very pertinent to provide adequate and balanced rations for bitches throughout gestation and ensure provision of multivitamins/mineral supplements to compliment the diet in order to maintain optimal health devoid of periparturient eclampsia.