My bitch gave birth on tuesday shes quite content feeding her puppies but at times will pace about and whine and dig frantically under my bed shes been to the vets no high temperature so not an infection vet palpated her and said her uterus has already shrunk back down shes fine in herself its just the frequent pacing whining and digging that gets me anyone with any ideas please thanks

Sounds pretty normal, they often have discomfort even after and have episodes of panting and digging. Just make sure she isn't burying puppies while she does it!

I'm afraid that I would disagree that her uterus will have finished returning to normal.  Her actions are of a bitch in pain.  Why do vets know nothing about breeding?  Grrr!!  Oh yes, that's right, because they are supposed to spay at 6 weeks.  (Yes I know I'm exaggerating.)

Apparently when the pups feed it causes the uterus to contract back down to normal size and I am pretty sure that it takes a while to all go back. As it is a kind of early labour behaviour perhaps she is getting a mixed message from her body which is why she is behaving that way. I agree with Jean that is sounds like she is in pain, but I am not sure what pain meds would be suitable for a nursing bitch? I hope that she feels better soon and it all settles down for her, at least she hasnt got a temp or anything so you dont have to worry about infection.

You can try giving her a fairly safe calcium source like palatable tablets called Tumms for indigestion.
It's most likely hormonal and pain and the Ca++ will assist with the replenishment of calcium in her uterine muscle.

I was going to see watch carefully that it doesn't progress to Eclampsia. 

CAlo Cal D a liquid calcium supplement may be useful if her levels are found to be low.

I'm afraid that I would disagree that her uterus will have finished returning to normal.  Her actions are of a bitch in pain.  Why do vets know nothing about breeding?  Grrr!!  Oh yes, that's right, because they are supposed to spay at 6 weeks.

Me too!    Did he x-ray to make sure she was empty?    These symptoms are a classic sign of retained birthing material or even a dead puppy - was she given a shot to clear out any of this immediately after you felt she'd finished whelping?   If not, and this may involve using another vet, I'd take her right back.   She would, however, probably be running a fever if there was infection going on.

My only other thought is whether she's having a hard time being a mum and not just a pet!    This can happen - and for sure, not all bitches are 'natural mothers'.    Whatever is going on, I'd suggest it's not right.   How are the puppies doing - does she go in to nurse them when they cry for food?

The potential for eclampsia is always there too.  Good thought.   Also was one of the puppies lost - we had a litter with just 2 puppies and one of them didn't make it.   She knew she should have more and was very restless for quite some time, as if looking for the one that died.

Agreed - how many vets actually have a dog, never mind a post-whelping bitch!!!

Hi thanks everyone for replying in general shes been a good mum feeding and tending to them its just the pacing crying and digging thats worrying me how long does it usually take for the uterus to properky contract down she had a litter before and never done this is there anything a vet can give for pain relief

It is after pains, (we get them to, and mine were worse second time around).

It could be like with us the uterus is more stretched.

Ouch that sounds painful brainless im not surprised shes so agitated does anyone know how long on average this goes on for

Ouch that sounds painful brainless im not surprised shes so agitated does anyone know how long on average this goes on for and no vet never did an x ray she just palpated her and said everything was fine inside as far as she could feel and her uterua has gone back to normal im not very happy vets dont seem to know much about breeding of dogs do they so i feel the vet visit was a bit a waste i time and not to mention i got charged for 2 consults because i 'used an extra 2 minutes of the vets time to check over the puppies too

Most of my bitches have got over this in 5 to 6 days but the most recent who whelped 5 weeks ago kept digging for over 2 weeks.....no infection or anything wrong just afterpains.

If her discharge looks normal and she has no temp and is happy and normal between the digging I would not worry, just watch out for scattered puppies,

Ali

is there anything a vet can give for pain relief

I don't understand why there should be any need for 'pain relief', unless she had a C.Section.    None of mine has shown any sign of 'pain' after whelping, much as a lot of ours did need C.Sections.

What you describe is going on isn't anything I'd expect of my nursing bitches.   its just the frequent pacing whining and digging

Again you say your vet palpated her ...... did he X-RAY to make sure she was empty?   Did he give her a shot to clear out anything that was retained?

Don't want to scare you but even though I was told my bitch was empty, she was unsettled after initially seeming to have been, and I thought she was she produced a dead (retained) pup a day and a half after whelping.

Though it is more likely she has mild pain, which is why she is digging. 

I certainly have had this, with some, which is why I now don't leave any doing this with vet bed for a few days.  Just a deep bed of shredded paper.  When they are completely settled and comfy the vet bed goes in.

Mine often dig and pant a good bit after whelping. If she is settling for nursing times with her babies and cleaning etc.. but having the odd digging session I would not be over worried. It should pass within a couple of days. It could always be a retained pup without scan or x-ray you will only know if she pushes it out. Is she straining at all ? Is the discharge normal for post whelping ? Is she drinking excessively, Is she not settling to feed or clean, is she off her food ? or not drinking enough?
Without seeing her behaviour and knowing your bitch only you can decide if it is behaviour that is not expected from her.
If you are worried about the answers to any of the above questions you need to have the vet check her over. Insist on a scan or x-ray if you feel it is needed. Remember it is your money and the vet is working for you !!
Aileen

We have had it with our bitches, and it's a real worry when they're so unsettled.     Having checked there isn't a retained pup/afterbirth, we give calcium (either tablets or collocal-D) and sweet digestive biscuits  (for potentially low blood sugar).    If that doesn't settle her, we give a Buscopan tablet (recommended by our old vet) and it usually soothes things down.

Jo

Had the same problem this time we took her for an xray to make sure ...no pups she was very stressed so i gave milk cheese and calcium tablet she would get out her bed and bit at her nipples and i mean bit shes acted very strangely for about a week before she settled im sure it was down to pain x

Update she has stopped this but now have another dilema on my other post

Hi. I realise this is an old post, but justvwondeying how long the pacing / panting / digging behaviour went on with your dog. Any other people's experience also welcome.
Mine is behaving like that 36 hrs post birth. Was quite settled for first 18-24 hrs, but has become more restless / pacing / digging since then. Ta.

Did you have your vet check her to make sure she's empty?   If not, she could have retained birthing material which will make her very ill.   Take her and her puppies to be checked for abnormalities, to your vet.   This is clear indication that something isn't quite right with her.   And no, none of mine has done this.

> Mine is behaving like that 36 hrs post birth.

No problem for only 36 hours.  I had one bitch who was like it for almost a week.  Toy breed, but humungous litter for the breed.

Don't assume that all bitches have a standard time.

Be aware that being very unsettled can be a sign of eclampsia

Sorry I know this is off topic but struggling to navigate the site . Does anyone have any experience of their bitch distressed a few days into bleeding the first season after a litter?
Our bitch has yelped a couple of times and is now nervous panting and shaking ( she is a bit of a  baby to be honest ) she actually wasn't at all during pregnancy, labour and whelping but....... she seems very upset this morning.

No.   And I have to ask if you are certain this is a season, and not Pyometra.   I think under the circumstances, which I'd suggest are not 'normal' you'd best have your vet check her.

No, I'd be a bit worried by that TBH. If it continues, I'd take her to the vet - make sure an experienced vet who is good doing ultrasounds. She may need an ultrasound just to check nothing was ruptured, torn or hurt during whelping...

If they don't find anything, she could just be a bit sore after whelping and need some pain meds.

Panting and shaking is a sign of pain so you can't really ignore it.

Are you sure it is a season? When did she whelp and how long after is this? Since it could also be an open pyo... or a uterine infection which is discharging. You need to see the vet... [Posted at the same time as Mamabas and we both said the same thing here...]

Definitely a season as she is swollen and time is spot on

I agree I would get her checked ASAP

Her litter was born at the beginning of November and this is her first season since

Snoopy, that doesn't really tell us much because we don't know what her cycles were like before. Some bitches are every 5 months, some every year...

But even if she is swollen it is not normal for a dog to be yelping and in that much pain. It may not even be her season, that might be a red herring and a coincidence, she might have injured her back or pulled a muscle or something - but she needs to see a vet.

Yeah I understand it might not be her season causing this but she seems to be moving fine jumped on and off the settee etc. And she was due in season ( every 7 months ) the beginning of April.

That's why I was asking if anyone had experienced this . She caught her dew claw and shook from head to toe , panted and hid for 2 hours under a table until we could get her to a vet appointment . So she does react like this to discomfort. And of course we will take her to the vets as we don't want her to be distressed.

I think the answer is yes if she has pain and seems upset . Pyo is a big worry and from your description if she were mine I would get a vet appointment today and not leave any longer . Hopefully its not pyo but I would want that ruled out

Thank you

Although having a litter can upset a cycle, by my calculations (and I'm horrible at maths), if she normally cycles every 7 months, and had a litter in early November, wouldn't she be due in June?    With an open Pyo, she could also be swollen.  We really can only guess - if she's in pain, she needs to be examined by a qualified, asap.

She came in season beginning of Sept 2020 so beginning of April 7 months she gave birth beginning of November. We took her for a walk to get her out of herself and she's been fine since but will keep and eye in her.

I think I would still want a Vet to check her over if she was mine.

Me too .dogs can hide so much

Told you I was horrible at maths     I'd still get her checked by a vet and maybe NOT exercised off your property when in season unless you are taking her off somethere quiet, in a car.   For the sake of local entire males and their owners

Lol , we have 5 dogs and we live in a very quiet area . So all was good for a little walk out . Still keeping an eye on her but she isn't shaking and panting just feeling a little sorry for herself which for her is pretty normal . Thank you all for all your help .