Whelping4 minSources checked: 22.10.2026

Restlessness, unusual heavy panting and tremors in a nursing dog need attention. Stiffness, loss of coordination or seizures call for emergency help. Watching at home cannot reliably establish what is causing the signs.

An owner calls a veterinarian while watching a nursing dog

What happens in eclampsia

Canine eclampsia is a dangerous fall in available blood calcium with disturbed nerve and muscle function. Small nursing dogs are particularly vulnerable. It usually occurs during the early weeks of lactation, but can also develop around birth.

Calcium in the food bowl and calcium available to the body are different things. Nursing changes demand rapidly, while blood levels depend on regulatory mechanisms. An apparently good diet or a previously normal blood result cannot exclude a new disturbance. Concerning signs in a Pomeranian must be judged by her current condition, rather than the number of supplements she receives.

[1] Merck — Eclampsia in Small Animals · [5] Wiebe and Howard — Reproductive emergencies and hypocalcemia

Early signs can resemble anxiety

The beginning may look like restlessness and panting. Tremors, a stiff gait, poor coordination and seizures can follow. Do not wait for the full sequence.

Describe behaviour in context: the mother continues panting after settling, cannot lie comfortably, walks unusually stiffly or stops caring normally for puppies. This is more useful than simply calling her nervous. Trembling or an altered gait in a nursing mother warrants urgent veterinary contact. A normal interval between episodes does not establish that the cause has disappeared. A brief video may help if taking it does not delay care.

[2] Veterinary Partner — Eclampsia in Dogs and Cats

Trembling alone does not identify the cause

Low glucose, poisoning, neurological disease and other postnatal complications can produce similar signs. Diagnosis involves examination and calcium assessment, with consideration of other disturbances.

This is why giving calcium and waiting is unreliable. It may delay treatment of another cause, and the appropriate treatment route depends on severity. Report how long ago she gave birth, how many puppies nurse, her diet, supplements and medicines. Explain when she last ate and moved normally. Do not cancel travel because the trembling briefly eases after rest or a change in room temperature.

[1] Merck — Eclampsia in Small Animals

Before reaching the clinic

Contact emergency care immediately and stop nursing while obtaining instructions. The puppies need a safely warm place and a separate feeding plan; arranging this must not delay the mother's transport.

During a seizure, move objects she could strike and keep hands away from her mouth. Do not pull the tongue, force the jaws open or pour medicine into her mouth. Telephone advice must account for impaired swallowing and uncontrolled movement. If another adult is present, one can organise the call and transport while the other cares for the puppies. Tell the receiving team that this is a nursing toy breed with neurological signs.

[3] VCA — Eclampsia in Dogs · [4] Cornell — Managing seizures

Treatment and follow-up

Severe cases require carefully monitored intravenous calcium because inappropriate administration can disturb heart rhythm. After stabilisation, the vet decides on ongoing treatment and reduction of lactational demand.

Rapid improvement does not automatically permit a return to the previous nursing routine. Clarify whether puppies may nurse, how to feed them and when reassessment is needed. Do not independently increase a prescribed supplement if restlessness returns: recurrent signs need veterinary contact. Keep the exact product and concentration available because similarly named products can differ substantially. If the feeding plan cannot be managed overnight, discuss hospital care or additional help for the litter.

[3] VCA — Eclampsia in Dogs

Prevention and future breeding

Excess calcium supplementation during pregnancy can disrupt adaptation of calcium regulation and increase eclampsia risk during lactation. A complete diet appropriate for reproduction provides the foundation; additional supplements require individual veterinary direction.

Prevention is not simply adding cottage cheese, eggshell or several vitamin products. The whole diet, litter size, maternal condition and available care need consideration. After eclampsia, discuss recurrence risk before planning another mating. Recovery from one episode does not establish the safety of a future pregnancy. A breeding decision should account for this particular Pomeranian's health and whether rapid treatment and alternative puppy feeding could be provided if the problem recurred.

[1] Merck — Eclampsia in Small Animals · [2] Veterinary Partner — Eclampsia in Dogs and Cats