No pet owner wants their beloved cat to get sick! However, in some unfortunate cases, the owner does not know how to prevent or stop it. A prime example is eclampsia in cats, which is one of the dangerous diseases that many owners worry about. Imagine your cat having seizures; it hurts, doesn't it? To help you understand this disease better, I wrote this article for you to read right away:
1. What is Eclampsia?
Eclampsia, also known as hypocalcemia or postpartum tetany (a condition characterized by muscle cramps, spasms, or tremors), is an emergency situation related to decreased calcium levels in the blood, threatening the lives of nursing or newly delivered cats. Eclampsia usually occurs when kittens are one to four weeks old and the mother cat is at her peak milk production phase.
What is Eclampsia?
2. What Causes Eclampsia in Cats?
The cause of eclampsia is often not clearly identified but generally can stem from:
Mother cats being calcium deficient during pregnancy while providing nutrients for the kittens' bone development from the womb.
High milk production after giving birth.
Unbalanced nutrition, lacking this or that nutrient, affecting pregnancy, birth, and lactation processes, leading to eclampsia.
Issues with hormones and the parathyroid gland.
3. What Are the Clinical Signs of Eclampsia in Cats?
Early signs are often hard to detect; mother cats may appear restless, pant, have difficulty moving, and, worse, lose the ability to walk. If this condition continues, it will soon develop into muscle spasms (tetany), affecting the whole body and gradually turning into extremely dangerous seizures. Some cats with eclampsia also have high fevers and disorientation, becoming more aggressive than usual and running wildly around the house as if they are out of control. Eclampsia is a dangerous condition that requires urgent treatment. If you suspect eclampsia in the mother cat, prevent the kittens from nursing and contact a veterinarian immediately.
What Are the Clinical Signs of Eclampsia in Cats?
4. How is Eclampsia Treated?
When cats have eclampsia, veterinarians will treat it with intravenous fluids and calcium injections along with other medications depending on the cat's health examination and test results. The process of injecting calcium intravenously must be performed carefully and slowly, or it can cause bradycardia, arrhythmia, and blood sugar levels can be affected, worsening the situation. For more severe cases or continuous seizures, making it difficult to return to a normal state, the doctor will add anti-convulsant medications such as diazepam to the treatment regimen to control the situation. If diagnosed and treated in time, the recovery process from eclampsia is usually quick and leaves no recurrence.
5. Can Eclampsia be Prevented?
Absolutely! When a cat is pregnant, you should develop a special, nutrient-rich diet prepared according to a formula for pregnant and lactating cats. Specifically, the owner should also supplement the cat with calcium-rich foods such as seafood, meat, fish, and vegetables. At the same time, the owner should ensure a diet full of nutrients like protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, fat, and carbohydrates so that the cat has all the conditions to recover from eclampsia. Each meal for the cat should be meticulously cared for, as even a small mistake can greatly affect the cat's health. If you're busy and can't cook regularly, you can refer to Tasty's fresh pate line (for cats over 12 months) from petncute.com. You won't have to worry about the cat getting bored of eating the same thing over and over because our menu is quite diverse, including: Mouthwatering Beef, Seafood Buffet, Ocean Tuna, Chicken & Fish Duo, Fattened Chicken, etc.
If there is a risk of the mother cat having eclampsia, you should separate the kittens from her for a few days and bottle-feed them instead of allowing them to nurse. You can purchase formula from reputable brands to feed the kittens while the mother cat recovers; you should also switch to soft, easy-to-swallow food for the kittens when they are three to four weeks old to diversify nutrients, ensuring the kittens develop fully without relying solely on milk.
Can Eclampsia be Prevented?
Additionally, you should not over-supplement calcium for pregnant or lactating cats. Absorbing too much calcium during this period can inhibit parathyroid hormone production and increase the risk of eclampsia. It's best to consult a veterinarian, as they are experts and know what should and should not be done.
Every abnormal sign can signal a health problem in your pet, so owners should not overlook them and should regularly take their cats to the veterinary station for examinations. petncute.com hopes your beloved cat will always be healthy and lively!