Puerperal tetany (milk fever) in nursing cats is a medical emergency caused by calcium depletion through milk production requiring immediate treatment.
Hypocalcemia is a welfare emergency developing rapidly from subtle signs to convulsions and death. Queen owners must recognize early signs - restlessness, panting, muscle twitching - as emergencies requiring immediate veterinary care. The welfare cost of missing early signs is the intense suffering of tetany and potential death. Prevention through adequate dietary calcium and phosphorus from high-quality nursing diets is effective. Calcium supplementation during pregnancy is contraindicated - seek veterinary guidance before supplementing.