Hello

I'm new here... I've recently mated my dog, 2nd, 3rd and 5th Sept (tied on all occassions).  Can someone let me know if it is normal for a bitch to turn very quiet, and have diarrhoea?  Phoebe is normally a very active dog but in the last week she's gone very quiet and today her toilet is very dark blackish looking, saying that she's only had one bout of it which was this morning. Her appetite is good - she's eating more than usually.

Is this just a morning sickness phase or should I take her to the vets (she hates the vets with a passion).  she's had one litter of pups before (3 1/2 years ago) and I don't remember her being like this - but I may be wrong.

Quiet yes, the diarrhoea not so much.  See how she is tomorrow and if she's still the same I'd get her to the vets.

Thank you - I'll check her tonight on our walk

My bitch had sickness and the runs after one of her matings I put it down to excitement as was a bit giddy!!! just keep eye on your girl ;-)

When my bitch was bred she had runs as well, but other wise very happy in herself :)

It sounds very normal from what I see with my own girls... that is actually one of the ways I know they have been successfully bred. Their stools loosen up at the beginning of the heat and when they are not bred, everything returns to normal within three weeks. When they have been successfully bred, the stools stay very messy for the duration of the pregnancy. There is some improvement upon whelping but that only lasts a week or two and then everything loosens up again until the pups are weaned. I attribute that to the huge increase in food over the six weeks that the pups are being nursed.

I have never had a bitch get loose stools during her season or during pregnancy unless therre ahas been a change in her feeding to an over rich diet.

Phoebe is now going to the toilet as normal - although her mood has changed to being quiet and lazy - hopefully these are signs that she is pregnant.. I'm on count down to five weeks when I can find out for sure.

Thanks for all your comments - I'm sure I'll be writing again soon with more questions.

Good luck with Pheobe? What date is she due? My girl is due 25th October and has been very quiet over the past week with loose stools also. The other worry is that she has really gone off her food, I even tried her with tinned salmon tonight and she turned her nose up. I will continue trying to tempt her and if anyone has any suggestions they would be very welcome (Tried braising steak, puppy food, cheese, scrambled egg....!)

Phoebe's due around the 4th November, she's not eating as well as I would have thought and like, I would have expected her appetite to improve a lot more.... I haven't changed her food - I'm a bit worried about her getting loose stools again; I'd appreciate any advise as well on improving her eating.

I don't know if it relates to dogs from humans, but I remember when I was pregnant, I never once had any morning sickness but for the first three months, I could not bring myself to eat any more than the equivalent of one fish finger a day (and as many fizzy cola bottles - the little sour jelly sweets -  as I wanted, even when my mouth was red raw, I couldn't help myself!!!)!!! I actually lost weight before the bump started to protrude!!!

As I said I don't know if it is apparent in dog's, but I would have thought that their hormones would be all over the place, and they will be feeling unsettled, so food perhaps isn't what they want?

I've not had any loose stools in a mated bitch but some of them certainly seem to decide that they are pregnant right from the mating and proceed to take things easy.

Many bitches get a bit fussy about their food during pregnancy and its the one time that I give them a little of what they fancy. I had one bitch that would only eat cat food while she was pregnant to the point that I was expecting kittens. :) For strarters try mixing in something tasty with her normal food. Cat food in gravy is a good one to use as a little goes a long way in coating kibble and most dogs love it. But you may find yourself having to pander to her tastes for the next few weeks. When you do find something that she likes just be careful not to let her put on too much weight.

Thank you Natalie; I won't try and tempt her with fizzy cola bottles although I'm sure she'd love them :-).  In regards to the Cat Food - I know she'll love this and I will try it tonight (she's constantly sneaking into my neighbours and eating their cat food).

Thank you again for your feedback - I appreciate it.

Hi folks,
I will also be trying the cat food myself tonight...well, not me personally but I will see if Freya will eat it!!
Thanks for the help though. I am actually pregnant myself at the mo and although no morning sickness I feel like I could eat for England! I LOVE fizzy cola bottles too, the more sour, the better!!! but don't think I will try them on Freya though. :0)

I don't recall my bitch having loose stools when she was pregnant.  She loved cooked chicken, tinned tuna and milk, so consequently due to all this goodness she had a very healthy litter of puppies.  She has just been mated in the last few days, so hopefully another healthy litter on the way soon.

Just a quick update; Phoebe is now eating well; small amounts often through the day.

And the Sheep Scanner has just confirmed that she is pregnant with 7 puppies.............I'm so excited :-)
:-)

Ooh, lucky you!! Keep us posted! :-)

Thank you - I'll keep updating her progress

Hi, was just wondering how Phoebe is, she must be due any day now?
Hope everything is ok x

Re-reading this, I don't suppose you've got another boxer called Prudence have you? I had a friend at ringcraft with boxers called Phoebe and Prudence a year or two back (if I've not misremembered the names!)

Hi Daisy

Phoebe was due yesterday for the 1st mating......still no puppies and no panting or symptons from her that she will be having them soon; however she is very sleepy / lazy and has gone off her food a bit in the last 48 hours, I feel so sorry for her when she tries to get up (she's intent on following me everywhere at the moment) because it's such an effort for her :-(  I'm finding myself sitting with her for hours at a time reasurring her that I'm not planning on going anywhere and asking her if she's ok!

Lucy

I haven't got another boxer called Prudence :-) although I'm hoping to keep one of Phoebe's puppies

Ah well, just a coincidence then. Good luck with the puppies! :-)

Hi

Any news yet?

sarah
& willow (with one week to go!!)

Hi Sarah,
She's been panting heavily a lot today since about 4am; I've just taken her for a quick toilet but she soon came running (if you can call it running :-) ) back in, I don't think it will be too long now although according to the Book of the Bitch it can take a lot longer with the panting.  She hasn't eaten again today but she's drinking a lot.

I'll update when they start arriving...... and good luck with Willow
Jac
X

oh gosh, how exciting.   The Book of the bitch is a godsend!!

Good luck.

The Book of the Bitch is my constant companion at the moment; I think I've re-read it so many times I could probably re-write it :-)

Jac

Oooh good luck.  I'm just awaiting for an SOS from someone whose used my stud dog, maybe having a late night tonight, fingers crossed.

I wish you all the best perrodegua!

Just a quick update; 5 puppies so far 1 boy 4 girls.........Phoebe's doing so well - I'm so proud of her :-)

Congratulations Jacqui, been thinking about you and Phoebe today.

sarah x

me too keep us updated on phoebes progress

OOH! How exciting. Thinking of you!
Regards
Karen

Congrats Jacqui and Phoebe!

How are u getting on, any more pups?

Hope everything is ok x

Yes, have you an update Jacqui?

sarah x

Sorry to all those who have been waiting on an update - it's been a rather long night :-)
Phoebe's had 7 puppies in all 2 boys and 5 girls - all beautiful and healthy :-)
Just managed to get Phoebe to eat something and she's drinking well.  She's so proud and is an amazing mum.

Good luck to all you owners out there wating for a litter to arrive

Jac
XX

Oh and forgot to add that the sheep scanner (Sam) was spot on with the count of puppies she had, if I hadn't had the scan I would have thought it was finished at number 4 as there was a long break after she came along :-)

CONGRATULATIONS!

I'm so glad all went well and wasn't it reassuring to know the number of pups Phoebe was expecting.

Keep us posted with updates on the progress of mum and pups.

Thanks for the update Jac

You must be so proud of her!
Now all the hard work starts!

Well done to both of you 

Clair x

congratulations,glad everything went ok.
luv sarah,meg & ruby x

Thank you to everyone who's taken the time to post a reply to Phoebe having her puppies, it truly is appreciated.

Jac & Phoebe (and her 2 son's and 5 daughters)
XX

Hooray, well done Phoebe! :-)

Congratulations to you both.  Did think that you might be tired and having a rest for a while.

Give Phoebe and her new arrivals a little hug from me.

sarah x

CONGRATULATIONS Phoebe & Jac, Glad all went well, My girl had 10, 6 weeks ago today, and I sure know I've got them now. Make the most of the next 3 weeks as it's hard work after that, but good fun watching them growing and learning.

Lynn

The first 24 hours have been hectic - one puppy is a bit poorly :-(

How's the poorly puppy this morning?  Hope he's picked up since yesterday.

sarah

Hi Sarah
She's fine now (thank good);she's back suckling on mum's rear teats.  It's really emotional when they take a bad turn - my emotions are up the wall at the moment; I think I panicked a bit prematuraly yesterday but I made up some Whelpi which I think helped her a lot, I've also bought some Ox liver to keep for emergencies ;-)

How's Willow getting on?
Jac

Hope all continues to go well, it's so worrying isn't it.  My girls due in a weeks time but I think she'll have them before then.  I didn't bother getting her scanned but I wish I did now as she's quite big but usually only has small litters.

congratulations Boxing Phoebe

hi Jacqui,

What a relief for you, I'm so relieved she's picked up.

Willow is still the same as ever - still getting bigger and eating like a horse.  It was 8 wks yesterday since she was mated so we are anticipating it to be this weekend.   Seem to have got everything ready, only thing we've not got is a pipette/feeding bottle.   Any suggestions where I might get any from?   I've got 2-3 phone no's of friends who've had litters and of course the bible!! (not literally - but BOTB)    I think by the weekend my nerves may be a bit on edge.  

Anyway, I'm glad that Phoebe and her new arrivals are doing well - give her (another) huge hug.

sarah x

Hi Sarah

I'm using a bottle used for 2 month babies, the teat is just the right size and the pup manages to suck well from it, mind you Phoebe is a larger breed than your Willow, I'm sure someone will come along advising what size teat to use, will you be using Whelpi (if needed which I hope won't be needed for your puppies?)  it seems to be good and worked on my pup.

Best Wishes

Jac