Hi

My dog had a litter of 2 pups just 5 weeks ago, pups are doing well, just getting used to solids and seem to be fine, however mum seems to be a bit up the wall. Her coat is thinning and she is opting for the bag lady look which is to be expected but her behaviour has resorted back to that of a puppy.  She is urinating in the house of a night time several times, even after being let out for a wee constantly whilst we are in and before we go to bed, shes now resorted to climing on top of the dining table in search of food and scrounges at every oppurtunity, however today she has dne the biggest pile of poo ive ever seen inside the house, she has never done this in the house since being a puppie.  Since this she had become very quiet, and seems subdued.  Anyone else had their dog start to loose their faculties after a litter ? if so what is the cause ?  Is it just hormones ?

Is she really acting strangley? I just have a concern about it being Enclampsia. They can become quite weird and it is an emergency.  Has she got starey eyes, digging in her bed walking round aimlessly, biting walls, any or all or non of these things may happen but weird behaviour is not to be overlooked in a lactating bitch. If you think she is then get the vet to check her now.

Peeing more usually does happen as the bitch produces milk, and yes my own experience is that even a really clean bitch will end up messing indoors when she has pups -and she will be much hungrier. Is she getting plenty to eat? The coat does go thin and horrible as well. Subdued -this I'd be more worried about.

She isnt biting walls but her eyes do look tired, she is sniffing round a lot in the house but i put this down the remnants of xmas lingering, the tree comming down, smell of chocolate and stuff like that, she does pace up and down quite quite a bit so now you have me worried, what exactly is enclampsia, we didnt intend her having a litter, so im not upto date on all things like this although i am catching up on my reading, the pups are only 5 weeks old tomorrow, is there a chance it can be passed on to them ?   I am going to ring the vets tomorrow and book her for a check up as id rather be safe than sorry.  

Sorry it's eclampsia and it's when too much calcium is drained from the bitch during lactation classic signs are restlessnes, panting, jerky movements muscle spasms and loss of coordination Often with a high temp.
Probably not this in her case but worth investigating.
Aileen

I would definitely have a vet check done tomorrow. To me it doesn't sound like eclampsia, but you never know. Have a vet look at her, there is always the risk of an infection. Good luck,
Karen

I would also get her vet checked to be on the safe side.
My bitch had accidents in the house occasionally and did have slightly odd behaviour but I put it all down to the hormones and being a new mum , is she getting enough food as at this time she will have been feeding the puppies and need lots more extra food I found my girl with her head in the 15kg bag numerous times and she was extremely well fed I also gave extra fresh mince and fish etc I also gave her SA37 supplement as i have a long coated breed and wanted to do my best to keep her in tip tip condition.

Is she still with the pups?  She may have had enough of them???  Also don't know which breed but my other breed Pomeranian's do lose quite a bit of coat after having pups.

is this  her first litter?

Hi,
Has she got a temperature? did you account for all the afterbirths? Most bitches go out of coat after a litter and nursing. Some right down to there skin, This is were they need extra care and love. Has she been wormed? After having pups it may have bruised her bladder and bowls. It is still earily days. I feed my bitches a lot of fish pilchards, sardines, tuna the oils and vitimins are good for there coat and very cheap at Asda. Some bitches also get depressed.
When you have ruled out health problems. give her extra vitimins and loads of love make her feel special as she has just given you two lovely pups.
Denese

Temperature and infection springs to mind.

Has she been wormed properly also? have you started to worm the puppies?

Hi,
Hope I've got this right. Had first litter of (only) two, five weeks ago. Mum - coat thinning, urinating and pooing at night times in the house. scrounging for food and seems quiet and subdued.
Please check temp!!!! Do agree with Blue was she wormed in pregnancy and since having pups, were pups wormed from two weeks of age?
In my small breed, I would say nursing mum's seem to look thier worsed at that stage 5 to 6 weeks, they will have been eating and drinking alot and the pups have taken alot of nutrients out of them. I like mum out by 6 weeks. Yes mine do have accidents in the house and then are quiet as they know they have done wrong!!!

I am sure she will be back to her old self once pup's are weaned fully and gone.
Let us know how she goes.