Hi

My bitch whelped 7 beautiful puppies yesterday. It was a textbook delivery from first pup to last in just over 2 hours, all pups breathing & well, just one pup out of it's bag which was a little traumatised but picked up quickly. We were waiting for the placenta to come but it never did. We were fairly certain, although my whelping partner (experienced friend) had to wrestle a couple of placentas off her, she was quick as a whippet! I called my vet who advised we should wait a few hours before giving Oxytocin and hopefully nature would take it's course. Despite several trips into the garden, it wasn't passed.

So we duly went to the emergency vet later in the day and had the shot, were sent home with antibiotics - still no placenta!

So to today, I've some noticed some thick dark jelly like mucousy discharge coming from her rear end. I cleaned it up, but am now wondering if I need to seek some more veterinary help

As a side note, her temperature has been normal (I've taken it twice so far today) and she's been eating/drinking like a horse, so I'm fairly sure she's not feeling unwell.

Could this wait until first thing tomorrow morning when my vets open, or do I need to be rushing her to see the emergency vet again? I certainly wouldn't risk my girl's health but my wallet is going to be considerably lighter after yesterday's visit (£110 minimum!).

Anyone had this before?

Many thanks
Tanya

Hi Tanya,

Congrats on the safe arrival of your babies. Wow a 2hr delivery,you lucky lady!! lol
It could be possible that your girl expelled 2 placentas at the same time. She has had a shot of oxytocin and if the pups are feeding well that will also encourage her uterus to contract so anything that may be left will be expelledover the next few days. I dont think the jelly like discharge is anything to worry about. I would be worried more if it was "nasty" smelling.
Gosh your vet is expensive! Was it a midnight call out?
Best of luck to you.

Kind Regards

Thanks Lorraine

Yes, when I looked back at my little whelping chart, I couldn't believe how quickly they all shot out! The first four were within 10 minutes of each other... first a big boy, who must have been stemming the tide!!

I was pretty relaxed about the whole thing until I saw the colour of the discharge. I think it's probably bits still coming out, but have just given her another wash down and trimmed all her feathering back a bit more (poor dog!) and the smell isn't any more offensive than with her last litter. I also took her temp again which is normal, so will just give the vets a call in the morning to make sure!

Thanks for the good wishes, we've got two a bit smaller (but VERY pretty...lol!) but for the first time am hearing those contented glugging noises from the pups as it seems her milk is now in! May have a quieter night with a bit of luck!

Yes, I spoke to my vet while they were still in surgery about lunchtime, but she advised I waited a few more hours before giving Oxytocin (which I agreed with). So Saturday afternoon at 3.30pm, we were going to the out of hours vets (another local surgery) which all the local vets take turns to rota for out of hours service, and the standard charge is now £110 plus any costs for drugs etc. They then send the bill to my vets and I then pay. You really do have to have a decent amount of cash floating around for those "just in case" scenario's with a litter don't you?

Thank the lord we didn't require a c section, I'd have to take out another mortgage!

Thanks again, and yes, I do feel lucky and grateful, I know there are just so many variables to having a litter, some don't bear thinking about.
Tanya

> Yes, I spoke to my vet while they were still in surgery about lunchtime, but she advised I waited a few more hours before giving Oxytocin (which I agreed with). So Saturday afternoon at 3.30pm, we were going to the out of hours vets (another local surgery) which all the local vets take turns to rota for out of hours service, and the standard charge is now £110 plus any costs for drugs etc

Of course they did lol.  They can afford an extra riund in the bar at the golf club now.

Glad mum and pups are doing fantastically.  Hope I'm as lucky.  mine will be an all nighter just for thinking of having it easy hehe.

Tanya if you are not convinced everything has come away, but your girl is ok, you could try Dorwest Herb raspberry leaf tablets. 

http://www.dorwest.com/Catalogue/Veterinary-Medicine/Raspberry-Leaf-tablets

Alot of people use these during/after whelping.

Thanks for the link. She isn't having very much discharge, has not had a temperature as yet and is eating like a horse. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all is well.

Pups are thriving before my eyes!

Will check out the Rasberry leaf tabs, I like Dorwest!!