Can someone help?

[presacanario]

I have heard from different resources two different points. First i have heard that you give an expecting dam a powdered calcium supplement and its good for them and then ive also read that is bad to give her any calcium supplement, that it can shut down her own production of milk.... Can someone help clear this up?

[dora]

I Haven't Heard Of It Shutting Down Her Milk But The Vet I Go To Had Me Give My Dog Calcium Supplement 300mg A Day I Gave It To Her For 2 Weeks Befor She Gave Birth....and I Can Say She Hasn't Had Any Trouble At All......i Would Talk It Over With Your Vet Though......oh Ya It Was A Pill Not Powder Either...what I Gave My Cody

[presacanario]

I Haven't Heard Of It Shutting Down Her Milk But The Vet I Go To Had Me Give My Dog Calcium Supplement 300mg A Day I Gave It To Her For 2 Weeks Befor She Gave Birth....and I Can Say She Hasn't Had Any Trouble At All......i Would Talk It Over With Your Vet Though......oh Ya It Was A Pill Not Powder Either...what I Gave My Cody
Hey, thx alot....

[XxKonnectionsxX]

You should contact your vet as far as how much calcium to give your female. If you do give your dog an overdose of calcium her system will quit making it and it will leak from their bones and be absorbed by the body. You DON'T want that to happen. I'm not sure if thats irreversible or not, but I would just check with your vet.

Also I wanted to add this.
I also found some research stating that if the bitch you are feeding is already on a well balanced diet, calcium supplementation should be no problem. I just hear of people feeding puppy food to take care of the calcium needs along with other vitamins and minerals.

[Rockstar]

Interesting... Ya learn something new every day.

[Whiskey Bay]

Check with your vet on the calcium.Most vets reccomend putting a female on calcium a couple weeks before due.If they don't get enugh calcium in their body ,they cannot produce enough milk.This could cause Preeclampsia or Eclampsia after birth.Many females die from it because owners don't realize whats happening.Once this happens the pups have to be taken off or it could happen again.I have seen some dogs that even with a good diet they still have problems with milk and calcium deficiencies.

[XxKonnectionsxX]

I just learned something new too..LOL OK So what are some symptoms that a dog expresses when they are not getting enough calcium in their diet.

[The Watcher]

pale gums...

[The Watcher]

The female stiffens her legs, has pale gums, and is likely to have minor convulsions. Puppies must be taken from her and calcium and dextrose administered to her intravenously. However, this is a rare thing and the symptoms so obvious, that assuredly the owner's first thought is that something is wrong and that the veterinarian is needed at once. With proper nutrition during gestation and lactation, a lack of calcium is not to be expected. The best preventive medicine is to see that the female is parasite free, in good condition, and properly cared for from the day she is mated. It would also be a good idea to supplement her with pet-Cal (calcium) a week before she is due and until the time she is dry after weaning the puppies. Check her mammary glands daily to ensure they are not overly warm or have any hard lumpy spots. This could signal infection and you should see your veterinarian.

[dhcrew]

i have not had to supplement my dams, i feed them puppy food from the breeding on, and i do give them things like shredded cheese, and cottage cheese mixed in when she is lactating. that is all my vet reccommended. my moms also get meat scraps during pregnancy anf after whelping until weaning.

[Mudville_Monsta]

our vet told us to not give any extra calcium or vitamins during her pregnansy as long as she was on a good and steady diet with a quality dog food. He told us that to much calcium naturally reverses the process of her making milk, her body will sense that it has enough calcium and stop producing milk. it does however reverse back once her body starts to feel low on calcium. but by this time some damage could already be done. our vet also told us to feed regularly and slowly increase her servings as she gets further along. the last two weeks gradually switch over to puppy food. that will give her body the extra boost of calcium to get enough milk produced and it won't be to much.

[presacanario]

Hey thx alot everyone for the help....