Metabolic disturbance in calcium homeostasis, particularly in lactating mares

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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/mohame
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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.

8. 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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