Bichon Frise (detailed introduction)

Bichon Frises sometimes get a disease after pregnancy and birth, called "postpartum hypocalcemia."

What is "canine postpartum hypocalcemia"? What should be done if a Bichon Frise gets "postpartum hypocalcemia"?

1. What is "postpartum hypocalcemia"?

Bichon Frise postpartum hypocalcemia is a disease caused by low blood calcium levels characterized by generalized tonic spasms, difficulty breathing, and elevated body temperature. Also known as puerperal tetany, it is a severe metabolic disorder occurring after delivery. After onset, body temperature rises, sometimes exceeding 43°C, with ataxia, generalized spasms, convulsions, and abnormal consciousness. The dog still responds to calls and is sensitive to external stimuli. It is more common in excitable dogs and typically occurs around 30 days postpartum in small breeds.

2. Why do Bichon Frises get "postpartum hypocalcemia"?

If calcium and vitamin D are lacking in the Bichon Frise's diet, they are prone to this disease. During pregnancy, as puppies develop and their skeletons form, the mother’s calcium is heavily diverted to the fetus. During lactation, the large amount of calcium transferred from blood into milk exceeds the mother’s ability to compensate, leading to increased muscle excitability and generalized spasms.

3. Symptoms of Bichon Frises with "postpartum hypocalcemia"

If a Bichon Frise develops postpartum hypocalcemia, it usually appears about 15 days after birth, often without warning and suddenly. Symptoms include restlessness, excitement, stiff gait, occasional howling, instability while standing, generalized muscle stiffness and convulsions, foaming at the mouth, difficulty breathing, cyanotic visible mucous membranes, and body temperature exceeding 40°C, occasionally reaching 42°C in some dogs. Most have continuous tonic convulsions with no intervals. Without timely emergency treatment or if misdiagnosed, death can occur within hours. 4. Diagnosis and treatment of Bichon Frise "postpartum hypocalcemia" Usually, diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and blood tests. If serum calcium is below 7 mg/dL, "postpartum hypocalcemia" can be confirmed.

Specific treatment methods are as follows:

(1) Intravenous infusion of 10% calcium gluconate is very effective. Generally, half the dosage relieves most symptoms, and the full dose eliminates symptoms. Use 10% calcium gluconate injection at 0.3 g/kg body weight mixed with 30 ml/kg body weight glucose saline, infused intravenously. Once daily for 2-3 consecutive days.

(2) Symptomatic treatment and fever reduction.

(3) Reduce nursing frequency and gradually transition to artificial nursing.

(4) Improve the diet of the mother Bichon Frise by providing food high in calcium.