ABSTRACT
57 A 3-year-old female Border Collie presents with tremors, stiffness, and marked panting, 8 days after whelping 9 puppies (Figure 57.1). All puppies are healthy and nursing well on presentation. Ionized calcium and magnesium concentrations were measured using an in-house blood gas analysis system, yielding the following results: https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429401725/9d69b4ae-80d1-4f44-9dcb-659cda134065/content/fig57_1_C.jpg"/>
i. Ionized Calcium: 0.93 mmol/L(Reference Interval: 1.25–1.45 mmol/L)
ii. Ionized Magnesium: 0.42 mmol/L (Reference Interval: 0.74–1.23 mmol/L)
i. What are known risk factors for puerperal tetany (eclampsia) in nursing bitches?
ii. What would be your immediate treatment plan for this dog?
iii. How common is hypomagnesemia in bitches with eclampsia?
iv. What, if any, complications can arise from hypomagnesemia?
