Eclampsia (puerperal tetany) is a life-threatening metabolic emergency in nursing cats caused by hypocalcemia, requiring emergency calcium treatment for rapid welfare improvement.
Eclampsia causes extreme suffering progressing to death within hours. The muscle tetany and seizures are distressing and painful. Affected queens may vocalize and appear terrified as muscle control is lost. The rapid deterioration without treatment and equally rapid improvement with treatment illustrate starkly how much calcium-dependent physiological function is affected. Prevention through appropriate nutrition rather than calcium supplementation during pregnancy is the welfare-protective approach. Owners of nursing queens should know the signs of eclampsia and have immediate veterinary contact available in the weeks following kittening.