my bitch wilma delivered 4 pups in the early hours of thursday morning, unfortunately the first born was tiny and didnt last longer than an hour despite our best efforts.  the other 3 are boys and appear to be extremely contented and absolutely beautiful (i would say that). wima did everything herself and is a perfect mum but the only worry i have is that although she has urinated frequently since the birth, her discharge seems to have cleared up today, she has not yet emptied her bowels.  it is now about 30 hours since the births.  she is eating normally and appears totally happy if a little tired but i wonder if anybody could let me know of any tips to get her bowel movements going.  thanks

congrats on your new babies !!! sorry u lost one its so sad. i have mini smooths & they usually empty bowels within 3 days of giving birth , this is normal as her instinct tells her not to leave her babies. sometimes she will "do her business " near the whelping box rather than going outside !! enjoy your new babies :)
caron

I find my bitches need to be forced outside for toilet purposes (it's a good time for someone else to changed the bedding in the nest). I make sure they go outside four times a day - eventually they poo (if they've eaten a lot of afterbirths it can be explosive )

hi again, why dont you get yourself a copy of " BOOK OF THE BITCH " it has all the info needed for caring for your bitch & puppies etc. got mine within 3 days from tescos online , :) amazing book should be called breeders bible !!

thanks for the advice, i have got a copy of book of the bitch and it has definitely been useful. i have read it from cover to cover.  i am just taking my brood down to the vets for a check up before the weekend as i worry constantly about everything that could go wrong.  my husband keeps saying to let them be but i just seem to sit watching them waiting for something to go wrong.  wilma is panting quite a bit, not continuously but at intervals and i'm not sure whether its because she is too hot or some other problem.  any way my appointment is in half an hour so hopefully the vet will be able to put my mind at rest.  i think i am worrying more about these babies than i did my human babies!

my bitch didn't go to the loo for nearly two and a half days after her pups when she did ( i had to force her outside too ) it was explosive and jet black!!  congrats on the pups the first few weeks after my pups were nerve racking. so i sympathise with you. i am sure they will be ok. the book of the bitch was my bible too

Jilltee :-) How did it go at the vets?.....try not to worry and just enjoy Wilma and the pups :-) Good luck

congratulations willma and jilltee on the arival of your iccle babies. :)

everything went well at the vets, wilma is fine. the vet took her temperature and had a good feel of her stomach and teats and declared everything to be ok.  the pups got the quick once over as well, and everything seems to be fine with them.  i feel much better just to be told that everything is going well, and can now try and relax a bit and enjoy the weekend, not that i will see any of it!  thanks for all your well wishes, i will keep you all posted.

Fantastic news :-)

if you remember back to her being in labour and the day before she will have cleared out her bowels then. she wont have much to pass for a couple of days.