So my puppies are now 5 days old and up till now the bitch has been fabulous, but all evening she has been getting into the box and digging up the vetbed, burying the puppies under it. I keep trying to move it back flat and under her, but she is less settled and not lying down with the pups as much. I've seen it suggested that a calcium supplement reduces this unsettled behaviour - is this right and what can I use? Any other suggestions as to why she's now doing this?

Ideally get some Collo-Cal D today and give her some; if you can't get it today give her cottage cheese to get some calcium into her quickly - she could be developing eclampsia.

That's what I was just reading up on and worrying about! Thank you. As it was 2am in the morning when I wrote that I gave her some yoghurt as it's all I had in the fridge, and got her to lie down with the pubs. Once they had all latched on she settled down all night (still there now)! I'll call the vets this morning as I can't find anywhere else to get callo-cal.

Obviously I cant see your bitch and what you are describing could be the start of eclmapsia. From personal experience a bitch that is acutely short of calcium will be staggering around drunkenly, unresponsive and very warm. If your bitch presents with symptoms like this then you need to get her to the vet immediately as it is a life threatening emergency.

I've taken her to the vets, with puppies, and she was surprisingly calm about me taking them along in the car. The vet gave her an injection of calcium to be sure and told me to bring her back tomorrow if she hasn't returned to normal by tonight. Also, she has the beginnings of mastitis - and I am glad I took her to the vet as I would not have caught it so early, never having seen it before - so she has anti-bs and a pain killer. I've got her home, fed and watered and got her lain down with puppies - and everyone seems happier. The puppies have helpfully set to clearing her mastitis and the lumps have already cleared. I remember having mastitis myself with kids so I know how truly horrible that can feel!

Ideally get some Collo-Cal D today and give her some; if you can't get it today give her cottage cheese to get some calcium into her quickly - she could be developing eclampsia.
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I would have to agree with this - assume you had her to your vet for a shot to clear out retained birthing material?   Unless you are experienced, this really should be done because eventually she could be building up infection from anything left in there.   Just a thought.

ps   sorry, typed this before I read the later comments!  Hopefully all will be well now.

Try covering her bed. My girls will not settle until they are in a "den" with their babies. It works everytime.