Hi,

My bitch had her litter yesterday morning all 9 living.  Today she has been panting, very restless, digging and looking forlorn at the pups. She is still whimpering a lot. She is still settling in and has been a bit over zealous with the cleaning.  She did have a long 1st stage but quick 2nd.  We did have a set of twins.  When the first one was born she couldn't understand were the placenta was, and was hunting for it just as his sister arrived 4 minutes later.

Have had her at the vets for check up today.  They had a good check and gave her some Calcium and an injection to help her expel any afterbirth but other than that could find nothing wrong.

Has anyone else had this problem and should I be concerned?

The Oxytocin should get rid of the afterbirth, if one is left, also the pups suckling will help too. She will still be pretty uncomfortable and that will make her restless. The panting may continue for a week or more. Just make sure pups are feeding and leave her to settle. If her discharge stops, take her the vets again - he may give another Oxytocin and/or antibiotics. Arnica, if you have it, will help with the internal bruising.

Thanks Frillis

Will get some Arnica tomorrow.  Seems a bit more settled now.

how often are the pups suckling ?

how sharp are the pups nails?

if you have ruled out everything else it could be, she could still be contracting whilst they are feeding (which hapens for up to a week or longer in some girls) if she was a vocal dog when she was contracting in whelp she may give a little whimper now. If their nails are sharp or they are suckling to hard or arnt latching on properly (because the teats are engorged) it could be causing her some pain. watch them while they suck to see if it looks like they are suckling to hard or not right look for dark red marks on the tip or the side of the teat and look around the teat to see how many scratch marks they are leaving if they are small puncher marks or actual scratches

I'm just guessing really, but from other peoples' stories, and your comment about 'looking forlorn at the pups' I wonder whether she might also still be a bit worried about what they are? I've heard of bitches being really scared of their puppies at first.

Hi everyone, thanks for your replies.  Did lose some more heavy discharge so I think she may have retained some after birth.  A lot happier now, no longer digging.  They are suckling fine and nails not to long although they will need keeping an eye on.  Now wants to be with them all the time.  Have left her the option of a blanket outside the whelping box for when she needs a break.  Weighed them yesterday evening and all have good weight gain. 

She has done me proud and now she has settled is making a great mum.

once again thanks.

She'll carry on losing discharge for quite a while, but it will soon turn to pale blood - this is perfectly normal - just keep an eye (and nose) out that it doesnt go darker rather than paler and start to smell. Enjoy :D