Hi, I have just taken my girl to the vets to get her stitches out after her csection. I was concerned she was looking less keen on feeding the pups although was.

Well today the reason showed itself. She has dermititus around her nipples where they are making them wet from sucking and she has a really red rash today all over her underneath.

The vet said to just rub savlon on it after each feed as anything else may upset the pups.

I would hate her to reject the pups from feeding but she does look awful sore now. Has anyone else heard of this or have any recommendations?

P.S the vet said they were amazingly healthy pups, yippee!!!

No idea on this one, someone will be along that knows more, very glad the puppies are blossoming :-)

Is savlon ok to use around dogs?  Calendula cream works very well on sore skin.

I hope so! Its what the vet recommended......

I should think its ok if the vet recommended it, would certainly start using it now to give Peppa some relief and later on someone else might have some other suggestions for you.

Lol! Depends on the vet. I was just thinking along the lines though of possible ingestion by the pups so calendula being more natural than savlon may be better?

how old are the pups? anything after a week old i would generally say she wouldnt reject them as she has now bonded with them

They are 11 days today. You are right i dont think she will full on reject them but she sits up instead of lays for feeding and she fidgets to knock them off so she is uncomfortable. I just want her to be comfortable.

The vet is a breeder herself fortunately so she is very good (not the one we had on birth day i hasten to add unfortunately)!

I will start with the savlon as i have it and hopefully that may ease it.

i had to wean my last litter at 3 weeks as they were so advanced. full sharp teeth already and luckily they all took to lapping straight away without encouragement which gave mum her much needed rest altho being the fantastic mum she was she would still let them have a feed until they were fully weaned at 5 weeks. i know this is early before i get jumped on ha ha but you should have seen the size of the little buggers

Savlon is the best over-the-counter antiseptic for use with animals. Others can cause reactions - some are even toxic to animals, although safe for humans.

Thanks Jean, that's what i was hoping someone would say. So savlon is a good start, thanks! x

Could the soreness be caused by the pups claws? I know mine need to be trimmed every few days or the bitch gets 'shredded'.

Have you tried a chamomile ointment on her? I used it while feeding my daughter and it works wonders and doesnt have the strong smell like savlon either. Just a thought! :-)

I don't know that any of these other suggestions are toxic to dogs but would just like to suggest that although it may be a natural preperation the side effects for ingestion by a very young puppy are not known following the vets advice maybe best.

no, i have cut their claws. It is little spots, some with little heads on others just a red raised rash.

I will stick to savlon but it is quite strong smelling and mum doesnt like it either!

Years ago my young Boxer pushed his luck with his sire once too often and got a nasty bite on his muzzle. The vet told us to use Savlon then amd it healed up very quickly. He did lick it a bit but had no problems

Also years ago my gsd was prone to chewing herself aqnd getting hotspots. The vet advised bathing in lioquid salon , it worked wonders.

I feel for your bitch having breast fed my kids I can remenber how it can be sore.! You could try contaking dorwest herbs and ask about calendular or chamomile and if its ok for dogs

Certainly chamomile can be ingested without problems, but it also depends what else is in the cream.

> will stick to savlon but it is quite strong smelling and mum doesnt like it either!

I've used it with no problems.  I had a bitch that was so over zealous at cleaning herself after whelping that she made her vulva very sore.  Wouldn't use anything without seeing a vet, for fear of ingestion.  I was surprised not to be given a prescription, and when the vet said savlon, it was very handy, as it was something I already had in the house.

well i let her feed the pups and gave her a good savlon coating. i thought she would make a fuss but lay back, eyes closed and let me massage it in. I am slightly worried it is on the nipples too but i trust that this wont hurt the pups. I am going to do it after every feed and hopefully she will feel better. It has already taken the red out of it a little.

I was also surprised not to receive a prescription.....in fact she didnt charge me at all today, isnt it great when the vet loves your dog!!! After her birth experience i have asked that i only see this vet and don't want to see the vet involved in the birth again. I just didnt feel comfortable i was part of his decisions or i could question them.

> i have asked that i only see this vet

Understandable.  I am exactly the same (suppose we all are really), I know who I like to see, and who I trust.  Although I spend loads at the vets, he too, will show a little consideration when I've had a huge expense.  Little things, like charge for a 2nd visit instead of a consultation etc.  It's all very much appreciated.