Has anyone ever had a bitch that cannot raise puppies. I have a bitch that lost her first litter within a week. Everything was done properly, herpes vacs done, wormed regularly, cosy warm whelping area, all pups died within a week, had autopsy done on last few nothing shown. Risked having another litter out of her with different stud dog in case genetically they weren't right, same thing happening again.
We have worked closely with vet on thi mating, abs prior, chv vac etc and pups are just fading, she has copious amounts of milk, very settled, eating well. I am at a loss and will never attempt to breed from her again. Does anyone have a similar experience with a dam?

Never experienced that thank god. You must be hearbtoken. My only thoughts are the pups gaining weight normally? Have you tried removing any and hand feeding them?

Last time and this time they gained weight until three days then faded, we have done everything. I was just wondering if any knew of any other bitches that cannot produce litters? They go very cold cannot maintain their temperature.

Have you had her hormones checked? I had read that this can affect fertility but also can affect the pups if she does have a litter.
I'd be contacting a repro vet in this case rather than your local one for advice

They go very cold cannot maintain their temperature.

Just to pick up on this one comment - 'they'?..  newborn puppies cannot regulate their own temperature and so need to be in a box with additional heating - we use a brood lamp.    The temperature in the base of the box should be at least 80F - some suggest even higher.   They should be 'okay' when snuggled up with mum, but if they happen to move away and there is no extra heating, they will chill and once morbidly chilled, will stop nursing = death.

We draped a sheet across the back of the box for mum wasn't lying directly under the lamp (perhaps getting too hot) but otherwise we found the brood lamp was essential - for temperature and to keep the area dry too.

Very sad to lose these puppies.

Never used overhead heat as my breed don't like the heat, but always use a heat pad and always have a cave like whelping area to keep heat in drafts out.

Pups can't regulate temperature properly until three weeks.

Really sorry for you and the bitch to go through this.  I echo what everyone says about heat, it may be warm for you but still not enough for puppies.

Did the autopsy show any contents in the stomach or intestines?  Were any checks done for bacteria (E Coli; Staph;  Strep)?

Was the bitch up to date on vaccinations?  Are the puppies dehydrated (despite still appearing to suckle they can be)?

The remaining puppies are now away from mum and being fed by bottle. I have been breeding for 25 years now and have never had this happen. I am not a byb or anything else sinister, my dogs welfare is paramount, of course the whelping area is heated with infra red lamp, vet bed, no draughts etc and yes she is upto date on vaccinations. I was asking if anyone knew of a bitch that could not care for litters, now happened twice.
The last autopsy on the previous litter did bloods, visual, tissue samples, urine and fecal samples nothing abnormal. Pups not dehydrated and feeding well now.

Thanks Sue jaw will go to Angelika

I realise mamasb the pups are not able to regulate the temperature until they are 10 days plus, I was giving symptoms of the pups.

No one was suggesting you have not done anything but the best for the puppies and that you are not experienced. 

A friend who is 40 + years in breeding had the same thing happen last year, 2 litters.  Her husband is a vet.  They ran every test possible they thought.  Autopsy done on every pup.  It was not till the 2nd litter fading that a teaching Prof from a famous University Veterinary Hospital suggested E Coli, and that is what it was.  I wish you the very best with this litter and future litters.

Sorry to tag along.

I know people who have had similar situations to that of the OP, so I'm just wondering how can E Coli be prevented?

I was asking if anyone knew of a bitch that could not care for litters, now happened twice

This seems to be a different question to the question of fading pups?

Do you mean that she doesn't do the necessary things a bitch normally does besides feeding them?

Cleaning and stimulating them to pass urine and faeces,  keeping them warm etc.

Or do you mean a bitch that despite doing everything that bitches normally do,  still the pups die?

Do the pups show signs of distress?    Eg.   Being restless,  sounding like seagulls,  breathing noises/problems?

Thanks for all the advice, I am going to get the bitch tested for e-coli and treated. Bitch is doing everything normally and pups died, have got four left which I am feeding but I do not hold out much hope. Awful time for us at moment as my old working bitch was dead in her bed last week and now this.

Please don't forget that people will read this in the future and although you know you have them warm enough, it might save another litter where the owner hasn't covered this base.. No-one means it to have a go, just to cover all bases for now AND future readers :)

I hope you find answers.  A breeders worst nightmare.  Really feel for you and hope the remaining puppies pull through.

My worst nightmare came true again. Last puppies died ten minutes ago. Maybe this dam is not meant to ever have a litter, all pups very good weight but >>>>>

I'm so sorry,  stillbirths and the odd lost pup in the early days is horrid enough, but whole litters I so feel for you.

Sorry to hear of your loss :(

So sorry to hear this.

Every breeders worst nightmare :-(

Try to remember, you did everything you could, no-one can do more than that x

Please don't forget that people will read this in the future and although you know you have them warm enough, it might save another litter where the owner hasn't covered this base.. No-one means it to have a go, just to cover all bases for now AND future readers :-)

The breeder of my Whippet lost 2 litters at around 3 weeks - Fading Puppy Syndrome.

I realise you are experienced but this link http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/causes-fading-puppy-and-kitten-syndrome  (there are many others) might be worth ploughing through to see if something fits what you have sadly gone through.

Really sorry :-(

I'm really sorry for you, what an awful time. Could it be something in the bitches milk?

So sorry. How horrid for you.

So sorry to hear that, how awful for you. :-(

So sad for you.

Thank you all for your kind messages, PM showed absolutely nothing whatsoever again, no e-coli, chv, abnormalities, extensive tests but nothing. Would be easier if they could find something.

Gutted - must have been horrendous to experience - poor you and Mum. Big kiss to both of you from us  x

You must be devastated.  The not knowing what happened wont be helping either.  ((hugs))