She is very protective over the puppies (5) and doesnt want to leave the whelping box for anything, she doesnt even want to eat. Is this normal?
2006-09-26 11:29:20 · 11 answers · asked by Jenny(: 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Nope.
Being protective is normal, but not WANTING to eat is often a BIG DEAL in a new mom. Usually they have pigged out by now. Most moms prefer to eat away from their pups, but put the food in with her. If she eats it....great. If she turns her nose up at it, you likely have a problem.
What did your DVM say during her postpartum checkup (normally done the day after the pups are born)? If she was okay then, you still need to call and report this. She might or might not have a serious problem....and only your veterinarian can tell you for sure, after examining her.
And PLEASE....for the love of God and all that is holy....do NOT give her milk, raw eggs, meat, etc.....unless you just WANT to make her sick and give her diarrhea. Milk does not make milk....carbohydrates and calories (plus water) make milk (which is why she should be on a growth/lactation diet.) She's already likely to have a little bit of diarrhea from eating the placentas....now is not the time to give her anything other than the food she's been on, lest you cause more of a GI disturbance for her (which will also adversely affect the puppies.)
2006-09-26 11:49:49 · answer #1 · answered by A Veterinarian 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would get her on lead and take her out of the whelping box, make her go outside to potty and then give her canned puppy food to see if she will eat this. Give her this away from where she can hear the pups. After this, you can put her back in with the pups. Give her canned food for the next few days to make sure that she is getting up to eat it. If she really is not eating or drinking, check her temperature. Do a rectal temp if need be. If her temp is above 103, you need to call your vet to get her on antibiotics. She could have a metritis. Did you watch when she was whelping to make sure that she passed everything? She could even have a retained placenta. Is she laying out for the pups to nurse or is she curling up in a ball? If she is not laying out for them to nurse, you need to take her in to the vet. I always give my bitches Oxytocin when they are finished with whelping. Your vet might even want to shoot an x-ray to see if there are any leftover pups. She might need a c-section. Don't waste your time on this.
2006-09-26 12:38:54 · answer #2 · answered by bear 2 zealand © 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think since she just gave birth you should put the food in the whelping box or the area that your dog is in, she needs to eat so she can stay strong and be able to make milk for the puppies....I would also talk to your Vet about this too.
2006-09-26 11:36:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but try to get her to eat anyways. If she doesnt she will not produce enough milk to feed her litter. Try mixing her dog food with some cottage cheese. This makes the food taste better and adds needed extra calcium for her milk supply. Take the food to her and put it in her box or right outside of it. Leave water nearby at all times. She needs extra fluids too. Try to get her to go out to play after the pups are sleeping. she needs time away from pups too.
2006-09-26 11:35:52 · answer #4 · answered by crystalyn129 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep an eye on her, and if she doesn't start eating soon, get her checked by a vet.(contact your vet anyway if you allready haven't b/c she'll need to make sure all the puppies and afterbirth are out).By the way, feed her puppy food while she's nursing(she'll need the extra calories)
2006-09-26 11:37:00 · answer #5 · answered by pat k 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, but try to feed her milk with a raw egg stirred into it, or some raw mince meat.
It sounds disgusting, but it brings back her strength very quickly, and enables her to have enough milk for all the puppies.
Our lab has given birth to puppies about four times, and she felt fine after something to eat or drink.
She'll be fine.
2006-09-26 11:34:46 · answer #6 · answered by Nicole 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i'd say it is but she cant go too long not eating. put some food by the box so she doesnt have to leave them. she sounds like a good mom but u dont want her getting sick from not eating.
2006-09-26 11:34:19 · answer #7 · answered by Nora G 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes it is normal in a very devoted mom. I'd suggest you take her food and water to her - she really can't be without it right now. Vitamins would be good for her, too.
2006-09-26 12:03:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes are dog was that way.we had to but food in the box for a few days than she came out
2006-09-26 11:48:47 · answer #9 · answered by playstation2911 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it will go away. if she doesn't eat within 3 days i would take her food to her. she might just be scared to leave the pups thinking something might happen to them. just keep trying to get to the pups if she feels comfortable she will let you hold them.
2006-09-26 11:32:58 · answer #10 · answered by teddybearleogirl 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋