Mother dogs require care after whelping.
When a dog has puppies, many owners incorrectly assume that the hard part is over. The truth is that the new mom requires some post-whelping care to keep her healthy and strong enough to care for her pups. There are still many things that can go wrong, including infection, retained puppies or an inability to produce milk, and it is only vigilance on the part of the owner that can catch signs of these problems before they threaten the life of the dog or her puppies.
Instructions
1. Walk your dog immediately after whelping, but pay attention to what she does. On rare occasions, she may be surprised with another birth.
2. Feel her abdomen for large lumps, to make sure there are no more puppies left inside. A trip to the vet for both mom and the litter is a good idea. The vet will examine the litter for birth defects and make sure no puppies remain inside the mother. The vet will also give her an oxytocin injection that will contract her uterus and help expel leftover placenta.
3. Monitor the mother dog for signs of illness or lack of interest in the pups. If she is not allowing them to nurse, the job is left to you.
4. Take the mother's rectal temperature twice daily for the first few days. A normal temperature is between 101 and 103 degrees Fahrenheit, and a high temperature could indicate an infection.
5. Monitor her vaginal discharge. A small amount of blood is normal for the first few days, but if it continues or increases in volume, call your vet. If a greenish, foul-smelling discharge appears, this usually indicates infection, so notify your vet.
6. Feed her several small meals per day. She will be extra hungry, and will need all the energy she can get, so many breeders feed puppy food during this time because of its higher calorie count.
7. Keep an eye on her mammary glands. Any unusual redness, swelling or pain can be a sign of mastitis, which should be reported to your vet. If she is not allowing the puppies to nurse, this could be why. If dried milk crusts form around her nipples, gently soak them off with a warm, wet washcloth.
8. Brush her daily. Dogs lose a large quantity of hair during pregnancy, and some of the dead coat will still need to come out. A gentle brushing will help her get rid of the hair, and will also be a soothing experience for her.
9. Watch for signs of excessive panting, trembling or seizures. These are symptoms of a calcium deficiency called eclampsia, which must be treated by a vet immediately.
Related posts
All puppies are fragile when they are first born. That includes the tough and stocky pitbull. The puppies are even more vulnerable if their mother is not around to care for them, so if it is at al...
Support your dog after it gives birth.Dogs are naturally equipped with the skills and tools to give birth and care for puppies without the assistance of humans. However, whelping -- the process of...
Red-nosed pit bulls are the same as other pit bulls.While the name "red nose" suggests a separate breed or possibly even different characteristics from other pit bull dogs, it is simply...
Care for the Mother When All the Puppies DieWhen your bitch is pregnant and either aborts the litter before full term or the puppies all die before or soon after birth, she needs special care. You...
The author's mongrel, Pony.There is a special delight in taking care of a mongrel from puppyhood. Unlike their cookie-cutter purebred counterparts, each mongrel has its own character and looks. Wh...
