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Equine Metabolic diseases

II- LACTATION TETANY OF MARES

Transit tetany of mares, Eclampsia of mares

Website:www.drghanem.co.nr

http://www.bu.edu.eg/mycv/mohamedghanem1

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Definition:

It is a metabolic neuretic disease of lactating mares characterized clinically by stiffness in gait and tetany and biochemically by hypocalcaema

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Incidence, occurrence and predisposing factor:

1-Most cases occur in lactating mares, either at about the l0th day after foaling or 1-2 days after weaning.

2-Mares have a heavy flow of milk.

3-Pregnant mares subjected to hard physical work or exercise (stress of work).

4-Pregnant mares during or after prolonged transport (stress of transport).

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Etiology and pathogenesis

1- The basic constant biochemical finding is low serum calcium level (hypocalcemia) in which serum calcium level ranges between 4-8 mg%

2- Hypo- or Hypermagnesemia have been observed in some cases.

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Clinical signs

Clinical signs are related to the degree of hypocalcaemia, because:

1- When serum calcium level arround 8 mg%, the only clinical sign is increased excitability.

2- At levels of 4-8 mg %, there are tetanic spasms.

3- At levels less than 4 mg%, there are recumbency and stupor (state of unconsciousness).

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The clinical signs proceed as follow: 1-Profuse sweating 2-Muscular fibrillation particularly of the masseter and

shoulder region 3-Trismus (spasmodic contraction of M. of mastication)

but no prolapse of 3rd eyelid 5-Rapid, violent respiration accompanied with wide

dilation of nostrils. 6-Normal temp. or slightly elevated. 7-Dysphagia (unable to swallow) 8- OLiguria or even anuria and constipation. 9- Difficulty in moving, stiffness in gait and

incoordination. 10-Within 24 hours, the animal goes down then tetanic

convulsions develop and death may occur about 48hrs. after onset of illness due to respiratory failure.

Masseter muscle

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Profuse sweating

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Tetanic spasm

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Diagnosis

I-History

II- Clinical signs.

III-laboratory diagnosis: Estimation serum calcium level usually

between 4-8 mg% (normal around 10 mg%)

IV-Therapeutic diagnosis Response to treatment with calcium

preparations

Differential diagnosis: tetanus and laminitis

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laminitis

Tetanus

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Treatment and prevention

I/V injection of 400-800ml C.B.G 25% causes rapid, complete recovery. If no response, repeated after 12 and 24 hours.

N.B:

One of the earliest signs of recovery is the voiding of large volume of urine.

Prevention:

Single IV or S/C. 10 millions I.U. crystalline vit. D immediately after foaling and repeated at weaning time for lactating mares.

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