Equine Metabolic diseases
II- LACTATION TETANY OF MARES
 Transit tetany of mares, Eclampsia of
mares
Website:www.drghanem.co.nr
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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 is higher than
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
4-Normal pulse in early stages, but later becomes rapid and
irregular.
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.
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Profuse sweating
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Tetanic spasm
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Stiffness
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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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Posters of Equine medicine
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Diseases of digestive system
Diseases of respiratory system
Diseases of urinary system
Diseases of Cardiovascular system
Diseases of Foals
Diseases of nervous system
Metabolic diseases
Foal Diseases
Diseases of sports medicine
Diseases of skin and subcutaneous tissue
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