Eclampsia (puerperal tetany) is a life-threatening condition caused by dangerously low blood calcium in nursing queens. Early recognition saves lives of both mother and kittens.
Eclampsia causes acute, severe suffering in affected queens — the tetanic muscle spasms are painful and terrifying, and the accompanying hyperthermia and neurological disturbance create extreme distress. Without treatment, the condition progresses to seizures and death within hours. The welfare priority is immediate recognition and emergency veterinary treatment — even a short delay significantly worsens prognosis. For kittens, sudden removal from nursing is stressful but necessary to prevent further drain on the queen's calcium. Hand-rearing young kittens is demanding and carries its own welfare risks from hypothermia and insufficient nutrition if not done correctly. Prevention through appropriate high-quality nutrition throughout pregnancy and lactation is the most important welfare measure.