My bitch is due for a litter on Wednesday but I noticed tonight she has a dark discharge. Is this OK do you think or should I be worried?

If it's a green discharge phone the vet!

If it's just the mucous plug, which isn't a very large amount of discharge, but is bloody, then don't worry, she's just gone into labour.

It wasn't green, more like dark red almost like when a bitch is having her 1st season & sometimes it's really thick for a few days.

I don't think it is the mucous plug.

Thanks for your reply.

I haven't any advice to give about the discharge - apart from saying that if it were me, I would be at the vet's, pdq!

I do note that you are asking advice about a bitch coming from abroad to your stud - now I don't know if you are asking well in advance, or if it is anticipated during the whelping/rearing period which this post is about.   I know of no breeder who would happily accept a bitch on heat coming to stud whilst there are young puppies under foot, without taking extreme care about cleanliness and disinfection etc of the clothes of the person who supervised the mating if s/he is also attending to mum and puppies.

Margot

I've just double checked the book of the bitch and the only thing I can find (skim reading) states that any blood coloured discharge should be checked out by a vet. As you don't think it is the mucous plug I would give them a call and see if they want to check her. Better safe than sorry.

I have been told that if the bitch bleeds before a first pup is born then something may be wrong, so a vet check is needed

i agree you need to talk with your vet ...i put up a post about a friend of mine .. her bitch was having the same prob when her girl went into labour the 1st pup was dead and thats where the blood was coming from ..im not saying this is whats happening to your girl but it does sound simler ...good luck x x

Thaqnk you for the replies and sorry for not responding sooner. I spent the day at the vets and my bitch has had a dreadful time :( Her 1st puppy was born dead but I suspect it drowned, the 2nd was stuck so was gently pulled out by the vet, & the oter 2 born dead. I am now at home after hours at the vets but the main thing is that my bitch is OK. We have 1 live bitch so fingers crossed. After speaking to my vet she thinks something is going on inside as at her scan last week she could see 3 heartbeats.

As for the bitch coming to my stud dog, yes I am in advance but the dog doesn't live with me anyway; long story. I am very careful about germs etc when puppies are about even where my own dogs are exercised. I would like to think I am a good breeder! I appreciate your concern though!

I'm so sorry that you have lost three puppies.  Fingers crossed that your surviving pup thrives and that mum gets over her ordeal.

im so sorry to hear what youve been through :( hope mums ok now and i pray your little 1 stays strong and grows well :) x x x x

So sorry to hear you lost three pups. I do hope that your bitch and the surviving pup are doing well.

Breeding is always full of dramas, but hopefully the little girl will be just what you ordered.