Eclampsia in cats – have you heard this word or not?
If not, then make sure you read on, especially if you have a cat who is about to become a mom 💐. And even if you have heard of it, refresh your memory about what this disease is and what its dangers are.
We would like to dwell in more detail on the description of this disease, its symptoms, and its causes.
Especially since we ourselves were active participants in those events of the fight and treatment of eclampsia.
Let’s go!
Table of Content
- What is eclampsia in cats?
- Why calcium specifically?
- How is calcium organized in the body?
- Eclampsia symptoms in cats
- What are some causes of eclampsia in cats?
- Our eclampsia story – what it was like
- Diagnosis of hypocalcemia (eclampsia) in cats
- Treatment of eclampsia in cats
- Eclampsia prevention
What is Eclampsia in Cats?
Eclampsia is a blood calcium deficiency (hypocalcemia) that develops mostly a few weeks after giving birth. However, it can also occur before kittens are born or during lactation (as it did in ours).
It is sometimes called “milk fever” or “postpartum tetany” because eclampsia usually occurs a few days to a few weeks after delivery when there is a constant drain on the body’s calcium stores due to breastfeeding.
Even more rarely, it can manifest in late pregnancy. It is noted that this condition is more common in cats with large litters.
And yes, eclampsia is much less common in cats than in dogs.
Eclampsia in cats is the sudden onset of a potentially life-threatening condition in cats: hypocalcemia.
Eclampsia is caused by the transfer of circulating calcium in the blood, which is suddenly released into the mother’s milk during lactation.
Calcium is lost not only during lactation but also during pregnancy, as fetal growth requires the mother to make significant blood calcium losses.
Eclampsia is rapidly progressive and must be treated within 12 hours of the onset of clinical symptoms or the pet is likely to die.
When this occurs, the cat’s body temperature often rises to 41 °C. This causes rapid breathing, increases the pH of the blood, and further reduces the serum calcium level.
Cats that do not receive an adequate diet to meet the nutritional needs of the offspring also often develop this condition about a month after giving birth.
Anorexia, agitation, and aggression are the first signs of eclampsia, which soon develops into neuromuscular irritability.
Why Calcium – You May Ask?
Calcium is a mineral we’ve all heard about since childhood. Remember our grandmothers who told us to drink milk to ensure adequate calcium?
Women are also advised to take calcium supplements during pregnancy. Actually, calcium is not only important as a component of bones.
It is also involved in the contraction of all muscle tissue including:
- skeletal muscles that move our limbs;
- involuntary muscles that move our internal contents from one end to the other;
- and our heart muscle, which pumps blood regularly and tirelessly throughout our lives.
And even more!
Calcium is used as an intermediary to activate enzymes and regulate all kinds of bodily functions.
It is such an important component of our biochemistry that virtually any complete blood count, whether human or veterinary, will include a calcium measurement.
Actually, our body does its best to regulate blood calcium levels within a narrow range.
And of course, the living system needs a source of calcium storage to draw upon when more circulating calcium is needed, and vice versa, a system for unloading excess calcium.
How is Calcium Organized Within the Body?
Calcium in the body exists in several states depending on whether it is used or stored.
1. Ionized calcium circulates freely in the bloodstream. It is active and ready for use in any of the many body functions that require calcium. The amount of ionized calcium in the blood is constantly regulated.
Too much calcium is dangerous; too little is also dangerous.
Ionized calcium makes up about 50 percent of all blood calcium.
2. Bound calcium also circulates in the bloodstream, but it does not float as freely. It is carried by albumin molecules (a blood protein whose job is to transport substances that do not dissolve freely in the blood), or it is incorporated with other ions.
About 40 percent of blood calcium is bound (that is, transported by albumin or incorporated with another ion).
Ionized calcium and bound calcium together are called total calcium. It is this total calcium value that is measured by most blood chemistry tests.
Calcium is also stored in bone minerals. We usually think of bone as just a framework, but living bone is a remarkably active tissue.
One of the functions of bones is to store calcium and also mobilize it when needed.
Usually, there is enough calcium in the body and this partial mobilization does not significantly weaken the bone structure. But if a large amount of calcium in the body is sponsored at the expense of the bones, it can lead to their depletion and softening.
Globally, calcium is one of the most important elements for the body. It is actually involved in:
- formation of the bony component of the body;
- blood clotting;
- neuromuscular function;
- skeletal muscle contraction;
- cardiovascular function;
- maintaining vascular tone;
- enzymatic processes.
This multifaceted functionality of calcium is therefore the reason for the various signs of eclampsia manifestation in cats.
Calcium levels
Without calcium, muscle contraction becomes atypical and the nervous system becomes more agitated.
Consequently, seizures occur.
They can occur when calcium levels fall below 6 mg/dL (1.50 mmol/L).
Painful muscle spasms may force the pet to become more aggressive.
If calcium levels drop to 4 mg/dL (1.00 mmol/L) or lower, it can be fatal.
Symptoms of Eclampsia in Cats
The first signs of eclampsia in cats are restlessness, rapid breathing and pale mucous membranes.
The cat often leaves her kittens and starts pacing back and forth. Her gait is stiff, uncoordinated and spastic. The tightening of her facial muscles exposes her teeth and gives her face a compressed appearance.
As her condition worsens, she falls on her side and has seizures and convulsions.
Common symptoms of eclampsia may also include:
- Complete indifference to offspring (after giving birth) is exactly our option;
- Restlessness, nervousness;
- Disorientation;
- Dyspnea, anxious meowing;
- Vomiting;
- Diarrhea;
- Clumsy walking;
- Muscle tremors, cramps;
- The cat lies with its paws spread (usually 8-12 hours after the first onset of symptoms);
- High body temperature, fever;
- Frequent, heavy breathing.
What Are Some Causes of Eclampsia in Cats?
Hypocalcemia (postpartum eclampsia) most likely results from loss of calcium with milk and from inadequate dietary calcium intake.
This imbalance in calcium metabolism occurs because the mobilization of calcium from bone to the serum pool is insufficient to support the outflow of calcium exiting through the mammary glands.
The causes of eclampsia are not yet reliably understood, but it can be caused by:
- lactation (milk production), a source of calcium in the blood to feed kittens;
- poor absorption of nutrients through the digestive system, resulting in the elimination of the mineral calcium rather than its capture;
- An inadequate diet of a pregnant or lactating cat with poor calcium and vitamin D, especially vitamin D3 or calcitriol. “Calcitriol enhances the absorption of calcium in the body from the intestines, promotes its release from the bones, and causes the kidneys to avoid dumping this mineral,” according to Veterinary Partner.
- by pregnancy itself in the cat, as there is a significant consumption of calcium in the blood to support fetal development;
- large litters of kittens – as the cat must breastfeed in large numbers to support the needs of her offspring.
However, there are other serious causes of hypocalcemia in cats.
Chronic kidney failure
When the kidneys become too damaged to respond to hormones, calcium can come to a high or low level depending on a number of factors.
In this case, there is a tendency for phosphorus levels in the body to rise.
Accordingly, therapy is needed to keep phosphorus levels under control.
Acute pancreatitis
The pancreas produces enzymes that we use to digest our food.
Normally, the body prevents these enzymes from digesting our own organs.
However, when the pancreas is inflamed, that’s exactly what happens – the body starts eating itself.
When this happens, nausea, diarrhea, and other pains can occur.
As body fats are broken down during digestion, the released triglycerides strongly bind ionized calcium and thus lower the overall calcium level in the blood.
Our Eclampsia Story – What It Was Like
We would like to tell you how we had eclampsia and how we survived this stress.
Let us remind you that we have a title-winning Abyssinian cat Patrica (Rudy color according to WCF classification). Oh yes, we are also owners of a registered Abyssinian cattery – but we will tell you about that sometime later.
Actually, at one point our cat grew a potbelly. It was actually a planned pregnancy, so everything went according to plan.
Or almost according to plan! Or rather, then it didn’t go according to plan at all!
And so it’s New Year’s Eve preparations, and we’re expecting offspring between December 24-28.
By the way, it was the cat’s first pregnancy, so we prepared ourselves – a maternity box, medications, and a veterinarian on call in case of emergencies.
Here came the decisive moment when our momma cat ignored the maternity box and just went under the bed and started licking the kitten there. So, the first one went – we cut the umbilical cord, wiped him down, and put him in the heated box.
And this is where the full house started a bit. The cat did not understand at all what happened and what to do with all this. And there were still kittens on the way….
The cat started nervously moving around the room – we locked ourselves in one room so we didn’t have to chase her all over the place.
About 30 minutes of nervous waiting went by. Our mom got under the bed again and started licking the kitten – eat, 2nd!
However, the cat again threw all this business and began to mew. Naturally, no one was going to approach the kittens.
In general, after some time another kitten was “hatched”, but the situation does not change.
Well, the whole litter was born, kittens were in a box and waiting for a mother cat, but the situation started to develop not according to our plan.
It was as if our favorite had turned into a menacing hissing monster:
- going near kittens is out of the question;
- is making some aggressive moves toward the offspring. At one point we even thought she might strangle one of the kittens;
- running and darting around the room.
In short, there are clear signs of eclampsia!
Of course, we made a couple of attempts to put her in the maternity box, but no such luck. Anyway, the situation heats up – the kittens are screaming in the box, and the cat is flitting around the room and making strange noises too.
An hour or 2 hours passed (we lost track of time ⌛) and the situation did not change.
We decided it was time to call the vet. After a while she arrives, and gives a calcium injection under the skin. We wait…
Finally, another attempt to sit the cat to the kittens was successful – apparently, the drug worked. She started licking them and hugging them tenderly. It was a very reverent sight!
Of course, the injections had to be done for a few more days, but it was already a small thing.
That’s the story, although it would be correct to call it “hysteria”.
Read our other practical “hysteria” from life, for example, why cats carry kittens.
And of course, how without our heroine and her offspring – watch photos and admire 🐱.
The gallery is clickable!
Diagnosis of Hypocalcemia (Eclampsia) in Cats
Since eclampsia can be caused by a number of factors, only a veterinary professional can make the diagnosis.
The following steps may be suggested to help you diagnose eclampsia in cats:
- gathering information on life history, pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the postpartum period;
- clinical examination of the animal: it is necessary to exclude epilepsy, trauma to the brain and spinal cord, pathology of cerebral vessels, and other neurological diseases;
- biochemical blood test with determination of calcium concentration. The normal value of this indicator in a cat is:
– total calcium (or bound calcium) – 8.0-11.5 mg/dL (2.00-2.88 mmol/g);
– free calcium – 4.5-5.5 mg/dL (1.13-1.38 mmol/L).
Diagnosis of eclampsia is usually made by testing blood and urine.
In addition, you will need to detail your cat’s life history.
Be sure to notify your veterinarian of the pregnancy and specialized diet, if any.
Standard tests will include a blood chemistry profile, a complete blood count, and a blood electrolyte panel.
Once the electrolyte panel is ready, total serum calcium will be checked by blood count.
If the concentration is less than 7 mg/dL, your pet will be diagnosed with eclampsia and an additional calcium supplement will be administered immediately.
Treatment of Eclampsia in Cats
Once again, we remind you that milk fever (eclampsia) is an emergency. You should report it to your veterinarian immediately.
If the cat has an acute crisis of seizures, twitching, and/or calcium levels are dangerously low, hospitalization will be necessary and calcium will be given intravenously.
Once the acute crisis is overcome you may be prescribed calcium and vitamin D supplementation – as the basis of long-term therapy.
These two medicines are usually given for about four days intravenously or under the skin.
In most cases (if they are not critical) owners refuse hospitalization if it is possible to give calcium injections under the skin on their own. Especially if the cat has offspring that cannot be left without a mother cat.
There are three forms of vitamin D that can be used for long-term management of blood calcium:
- Vitamin D2;
- Dihydrotachysterol;
- Vitamin D3 (calcitriol).
Calcitriol is considered the first treatment for calcium deficiency.
It is usually given twice a day and has maximum effect already within 1-4 days. If calcium levels become too high, they will drop in 1-14 days after stopping this medication.
Calcitriol is made in capsules and is sold in regular pharmacies. Therefore, it is very important to determine the correct dosing size that is appropriate for pets.
Eclampsia Prevention in Cats
As responsible owners, we all need to know and understand the health status of our pets.
- Therefore, together with your veterinarian, you need to prepare your pet for pregnancy (clinical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and so on).
- If possible, monitor the diet for calcium, phosphorus, and mineral content. If you are on a natural diet, make sure you do not forget about the bone component.
Remember, eclampsia is an extremely dangerous condition that requires your intervention and subsequent treatment (therapy).
Summing Up
We hope that now you know more about eclampsia in cats, its causes, and what to do about it.
And the main thing to remember is that in eclampsia it is better to “overdo it than underdo it”.
And that’s it for today. Pa!
Murmeo link to article: https://murmeo.com/en/what-is-eclampsia-in-cats/
The article partially uses materials from:
- Portal veterinarypartner.com.
- Book «Cat owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook (3rd edition)»
