I have a bitch whose 2 pups are 12 days old.  Today she developed a rash (hard red slightly raised areas on her belly).  She has been leaving the pups more than normal and lying on the cold floor, I have provided her with an ice pack to lay on away from her pups.  Had bitches with scratches etc from pups but never seen this before.

Any ideas what it might be.  Nothing in her diet has changed nor her surroundings.

Strange? perhaps it could be a heat rash of some kind..epsecially as its been so warm today combined with the pups making her hot..the fact she wants to lie on the cold floor suggest this might be all it is? if your worried it might be worth a trip to the vets just to make sure its nothing more than that?

could she have a rash from the garden? been bit when shes been out to toilet and had a reaction maybe, id nip her to the vets for a check up to make sure she is ok if your very worried x

What are the pups claws like?  Check that they are not really sharp as this could produce what looks like a rash.

Thanks for your replies.  Pups nails are fine no sharp edges or anything on them.  Looking a lot better today and she is a bit more comfortable not looking for somewhere cool to lie down other than she would normally.

Spoke to the vet who says it could be the heat or something she has come into contact with, which set me thinking and the only thing that came back to me was she lay down on the kitchen floor after I had mopped it with bleach and water.  And I know bleach can irritate the skin. 

Lesson learned, make sure floors are completely dry before letting the dogs in.