when is it necessary to start giving calcium tabs to a 7yr old bitch who is currently 6 weeks pregnant.

Personally I'd never give calcium supplements before the litter is born. The only case of eclampsia I've had was when I'd supllemented prior to whelping, and I know (through work) several other breeders who've had the same experience.

I would be careful of over dosing on the calcium.

Have to say that I have never found it necessary - before or after the event.  A good balanced diet should really be enough.  I've never had eclampsia in a bitch.

thanks guys. vets are telling me one thing but experienced breeders another. i think when it comes to breeding experience over text books any day. i'll listen to you lot x

i've not done calcium tablets dispite it being something my grandfather did 30/40 years ago and said we should.  Before whelping we only gave extra food and after whelping she gets goats milk and extra chicken wings.  I think thats enough calcium just there along with her normal food!

I would not give calcium until after she has whelped. By giving it before you trick the body into false calcium levels and it stops making its own. I give Coll Cal D straight after whelping and until the puppies are fully weaned.I too thought that a good diet plus fresh chicken for the bitch would suffice but was sadly proved wrong when I had a bitch suffer with Hypocalcaemia when her pups where 5 weeks old. Prompt action by me and the vet saved her life but since that litter I have always given calcium after whelping. Any excess calcium is excreted in urine so if the body has enough the excess is got rid of.
Diane

just wanted to add if a bitch gets eclampsia, oral calcium wont make a difference it has to be intra venous

Would never give calcium. A good, balanced diet should provide all that is needed.

Actually it does work, my girl had eclampsia 8 years ago and was given oral calcium which brought her levels back up again.  The only time I give Collo Cal D is once labour is established it helps with contractions and labour.

Oral calcium works effectively in Eclampsia, they wouldn't give it otherwise.  In a real emergency the best method is to get it into the bitch but  this is often followed on using Calcium orally.

I too had a bitch border line a few years ago and the oral worked a treat.  

Yes IV Calcium in emergency circumstances followed up by oral. Oral as preventitive.

Diane

Yes a good diet SHOULD provide all that is needed by we dont know that until after the event. Until I experienced Hypocalcaemia I didnt use Calcium, since then I always have as I couldnt live with myself if it happened again becuase I didnt give it.

Diane

> Coll Cal D straight after whelping and until the puppies are fully weaned

Same here, always give it after whelping but never before.

Me too. I never give calcium before whelping. As wirelincs has pointed out, it stops the body's own production of calcium. However, after whelping, for about a week I always give the bitch half a pint of skimmed milk every 4 hours, and thereafter a pint a day until the puppies are weaned.I always have a calcium injection handy in case of eclampsia. I've only ever had to use it once, with a litter of 12, given subcutaneously it can be an effective emergency stopgap until the vet arrives, (it must never be given intramuscularly). Callo cal D in milk can also save your bitch's life.

I gave calcium tablets post-whelping as a preventative measure and am planning the same for her next litter due in just under 3 weeks.

Having just experienced eclampsia with my new mum, i have been searching posts to get as much info as possible, i would really like to have a calcium injection on hand for the future, can you tell me where you get yours from please.

Its easy to advise you would never give calcium post whelp and that a proper balanced diet is all that is needed. But what if the bitch doesn't want to eat? or won't eat the 'right' diet? They can be just as fussy eaters post whelp as pre whelp! Breeders I know give calcium for two weeks after, and so did I :)
If in doubt, ask your vet and take his advice.

Well said Missie :)  agree wholeheartedly

sorry it's taken me so long to reply MandyC, I've been away for a few days well earned rest. I get my injections from my vet. Not all vets will give them to you, but I've been with my vet practice for years and years and my vet knows that I am a very experienced dog and horse breeder.

>But what if the bitch doesn't want to eat? or won't eat the 'right' diet?

Very good point.  This is when you should/need to supplement. 

Same as I supplements a puppy with calcium  (+ vits & minerals) as she wouldn't eat any puppy food, only biscuit meal from tesco, with nextto nothing.  However I wouldn't supplement a puppy that was eating fine.  The same goes for a bitch, or infact any dog of any age.  If I had problems getting one to eat and couldn't get them to eat a "balanced" diet, then this is where supplements have their use :)