Our lab REFUSED to come inside to her whelping area. She dug a hole outside under our swing and had her pups there. (all but one. One was born inside). We were asleep and did not know she was giving birth. I have no idea if the placentas were all expelled. The one she had inside, I never saw the placenta but when I went and checked on her again there was a dark bloody spot where she lay. Also she chewed the cords, should I still tie the cords off with some string?
2007-12-04 00:03:52 · 6 answers · asked by 2-8.2-11.3-17 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
PLEASE!! If you cant help with my answer and have something USEFUL and NICE to say, it would be best if you dont say anything at all.
2007-12-04 00:59:41 · update #1
If she retained a placenta, she will have a greenish, blackish discharge with more than normal "lumpy" discharge. You could take her into the vet for a sonogram, but they don't always catch everything that way. He might even give her something (oxytocin) just to help make sure the uterus contracts to pass everything.
Chances are though, she is fine. Large dogs usually do ok with whelping.
As far as the umbilical cords, you don't need to tie them off now. They are clotted, not bleeding, so they are fine. Be sure to worm your Mom and puppies at 2-3 weeks and again at 6weeks with a liquid wormer. Feed Mom well. It sounds like she did a great job as Mom already.
Congratulations on your new puppies. Keep them warm and well fed, and they should do well.
2007-12-04 02:27:22 · answer #1 · answered by mama woof 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take her to the vet as soon as possible. It is possible that she may have retained a placenta or more inside her, and this could cause an infection, leading to her death. You can't find any placentas because she would have eaten them, to hide the proof that she had the puppies from other dogs (this is an instinct that dates back to the wolf and other animals do the same too). And you don't need to tie the cord stumps, and certainly not with string. If they are not bleeding, then it is fine. If there seems to be a problem with them, the vet will check it out.
2007-12-04 00:16:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, my advice is a bit different. But, what do I know I am a simple farm boy that learned a desk is an easier job.
If the dog isn't acting like it needs help...then leave it alone. Dogs have been having puppies for more years than there have been vets. I think they have it figured out...it is very rare when any animal needs any help.
I raised cattle for 26 years and with over 700 head of cattle in that time only had to help 5 very young cows to give birth.
And just by your question where you state that she refused to come inside to her whelping area...that tells me it wasn't her whelping area. It was where you decided her whelping area would be. It is in their nature to pick their own place to give birth...and usually it is hidden. Then it seems once you found out what was going on your overrode her decision. And it seems that is where the problem started...congrats.
What are you gonna do next...set up a Canine maternity ward? Let the dog be a dog...they know what they are doing. She has been a dog her entire life...don't try to make them humans.
Oh yes...you should tie the cords off at once. While you at it get the males circumcised...and then you can Baptist them next week. Chewing the cord has worked for more than 10,000 years...why are you trying to change it now?
And as far as the placenta you didn't see...she probably expelled it and then ate it. You'd be surprised the amount of animals that do that...it is very rich source of protein for them.
2007-12-04 01:39:04 · answer #3 · answered by Russ B 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
You should always take a dog that has whelped to the vet for a postnatal checkup. The vet will look to see if she expelled all of the placentas, give her some antibiotics, and just generally check her well-being.
2007-12-04 00:07:59 · answer #4 · answered by not too creative 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Many breeders like to take the mother in to the vet for a check-up at 24 hrs after the birth - if you are not sure she retained a placenta then DEFINATALLY do so.
2007-12-04 00:10:21 · answer #5 · answered by ragapple 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
have your vet give her a shot of oxytocin...it will help her pass anything that is still in her uterus as well as bring her milk in...
the cords should be fine... mama normally knows best and as long as they are not bleeding they should be fine...
would be a good idea to have your vet look at the babies when they look at the mom
2007-12-04 00:13:46 · answer #6 · answered by PFSA 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋