My bitch is nursing a litter, my younger bitch who,s having the phantom shakes and goes rigid with fear when she hears them anyone else had this problem, I think her head is so battered at the moment she does not know whether shes coming or going, still not eating brilliantly I feel shes
frightened of eating for some reason I have tried feeding her in different area but this does not work either, and she currently has an issue with my 11 year old gsd female who to be honest is just out for a quiet life, but this thing with jordan I just dont understand it, she pants quite heavily when shes in there company watches theseperate run and kennel where the pups are, and the minute she hears them well thats it, she cries and shakes and tries to hide away, I have fetched her up into the house but to be honest shes no better there either, just tries to get behind the chairs or under the table, she goes for walks and shes fine outside her property, not a shake in sight can someone please advise as to what I do now, theis bitch is rapidly losing condition

Janines

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Hi
Congrats on the litter.:)
As for yur female sounds as though she is having a really tough time, would your other female mind if you were to show this feamle the pups ? maybe she thinks they are hurt and she can't bear it..some mothers go in to a fit when the babes squeak cos they think they are hurt or that they have hurt them and don't know what to do. It might be the best thing to inroduce her to the pups or even one,just to show her what it's all about, obviously this depends on MUM ! My females dont have a problem with the others having a look or sniff..but yours might i dont know.
Tracey

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Thinking completely laterally here.....when I was younger (;) ) and my son was a baby, I only had to hear another baby crying and I leaked milk - most embarrassing when you're in Town! So if your bitch is having a phantom, and she hears puppies I wouldn't be surprised if it had the same physical effect on her.....and it can hurt. :(

I'd say you can either introduce her to the pups (very carefully, in case Mum objects) or get her out of earshot.

Hi when I logged off earlier that what I did Tyler does not objectto either Emma or Jordan having a look, Jordan approached the kennel carefully but had a good look, crying whilst looking, then Emma the older one approached and Jordan started this shaking again, the mum was in feeding the babies and Jordan sat outside the kennel opening as though guarding it, she let Emma have a look but watched her all the time, when I kenneled her for the night she started scratching all her vetbed up and preferring to lie on the floor, had to more or less force food down her throat tonite thats the only way I can do it, she,s not eating enough for her own well being, I have started her on scullcap and valerian which I hope will quieten her, and not having had much luck at the vets I have been in touch with a homepath who is gonna sort her something out this is my last resort, I feel so sorry for her what can I do

Janines

Hi
I think the best thing to do is keep her away from the pups completly then put a radio on so she can't hear them and don't let her see them at all ...somehow, she is obviously going through a really traumatic time and maybe even thinks that the babies are hers and for some reason she cant have them ..who knows what goes through their minds, this might be why she gets upset when your older female gets close..she is trying to protect her babies (as she sees them) but cant get into them and they are with another female.
I would have a chat with your vet and ask for something a little stronger than homeo to calm her down or she will make herself really ill.
Tracey

Hi, I would be tempted to try a homeopathic remedy - it will do no harm and may work. I have seen homeopathic remedies work very well for phantoms. I am not sure though whether the remedy would be Ignatia ( for grief/sadness) or Pulsatilla ( for sensitive individuals with hormone disruption). Maybe someone more xperienced than me might know, but I would definately give it a try. Could someone do a link for ainsworths please as I have forgotten the address. Ainsworths will suggest a remedy for her. I would phone rather than e mail as you will get help more quickly. The remedies are not expensive - about £5 each and last for years if properly kept. You could type in "ainsworths+homeopathic remedies" into a search engine and thier site will probably come up. This must be very distressing for all of you.

Ainsworths