Hi,

Pups are now 16 days old.  Everything has gone well, and they are all gaining weight fine.  They are trying to walk and sitting up a bit.  Their eyes are open, and they are starting to roll around and play with each other a bit.  Looking more like little dogs, than black blobs!

I have a couple of questions though.  First, they are sort of snuffly.  It is almost sneezing, but not quite if you know what I mean.  As this is my first litter, I'm not sure if these snuffly/sneezy noises are normal, or something to be concerned about.  Secondly, over the last few days they have been panting a bit.  It's like they have just learnt to pant.  Is this what happens, or could this also be a sign of illness?

I'm not sure if these are normal signs of development, or warning signs that a trip to the vet is needed.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

Regards Jayne.

it could be a sing of something but it could be they are drinking to much milk and it is coming out of their noses and mum is licking their faces before you see the milk it is very common. all pups start to learn to pant at around 2 weeks your whelping area might be a little hot it may not feel like it to you but to them it may be. Have them checked by the vet to make sure it is not an illness and watch them when they drink if you see milk come out of their noses they have drank to much and they will start sneeziung then

oh also if you have a dog that sheds or is shedding just because of the toll it takes on the mum dogs body it could be her hair that is making them sneeze and possibly start coughing

Thank you very much for your reply Slee.  I didn't realise they start panting at about 2 weeks.  So cute  :-)

There is no milk coming from their noses.  I think you may have a point about Mums coat.  Also, they tend to do it when they fall onto their noses trying to walk lol.  I think the vetbed tickles their noses!!

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.