hi, my dog had puppies for the first time 5days ago, shes been fine since birth but has now started contracting, been to vets twice but they said give it time and just see how she is after an internal examination vet found no puppy said it could be afterbirth still inside but he doesnt seem to worried about her. she is digging like she's in the whelping stage and seems unsettled. quite concerned. has anyone experienced this before.? thanks

She's doing this because she's uncomfortable, remember it wasn't that long ago she had her babies. Try and make her as comfy as possible.

thanks she seems to be comfortable and contented in her whelping box with pups. do u no why her contractions would come back after 5 days? is this normal shes straining with contractions with a reddy mucus discharge its not brown which is a good sign. any advice?

My girl did the same the day after having pups (4 days ago) my vet gave her oxytocin incase there was a bit of placenta left inside, did your vet give her a jab?

i don't think there is any need to talk to people like that on a public forum. There could be children reading this !!

sorry about that last post some idiot thought it would be funny (not) please delete it, I dont think they realised the forum was live.

sorry somebody got on the computer. yes he gave her an anti inflamatry injection and anti biotic injection last nite took her again today and done another examination his pretty sure theres not a puppy left in her he said her uterus is quite thick. shes still contracting and straining, shes eating well though and shes a great mum.??? thanks

maybe she is just contacting back to pre whelp size! as long as they are absolutely sure nothing left just keep a close eye on her and make sure the discharge doesn't start to smell!

thnks for reply, they said if there was a puppy still inside then they would ultrasound her but they cnt feel a puppy. the only thing they said it could be was afterbirth but they cant tell that through an ultrasound and they said there not worried about her because shes not ill and her temperature is normal. i'm just worried about her having these contractions which is unusual for them to come back after 5 days of giving birth. please helpx

Hi Sharonshep

This is why I always count the afterbirths. It could be after pains the uterus contracting back. That can be painfull it is in women!
Has the vet given any pain killers?

Denese

hi denese she doesnt seem to be in pain she shakes when shes in pain she did in labour. she had contractions all night after the last puppy which we thought was here uterus going back but they stopped he next day and no sign of them until now the 4/5th day and they don't seem to be stopping? discharge is all normal vet said the smell and colour is fine. x

hi denese she doesnt seem to be in pain she shakes when shes in pain she did in labour. she had contractions all night after the last puppy which we thought was here uterus going back but they stopped he next day and no sign of them until now the 4/5th day and they don't seem to be stopping? discharge is all normal vet said the smell and colour is fine. x

I shouldn't worry too much at this stage, just make sure she is still eating and drinking enough etc and any signs of her being ill get her straight back to the vets. If you are still not happy with your vets diagnosis then why don't you get a second opinion from either the same practice or a different one. :-)

ok thank you!x

hi i posted earlier. my dog has started contractions again after 5days of giving birth. vet can't feel puppy or afterbirth. however we had the dog mated twice on the monday and then on the wednesday! she had her puppies last wednesday but her due day is today so she had them quite early. has anyone heard of a dog having a puppy concieved  on the 2nd mating after a concieving on the 1st mating? bit confussing please helpx

Sorry to just hijack slightly, but can someone tell me what a discharge like sharonshep described (reddish mucus) is actually caused by/what it is? I was looking for information about the other week and couldn't find any answers!

I hope all is well with your girl, sharon :-)

I would assume it's like the lochia that women have after childbirth, and that lasts about as long!

I ask because my bitch (maiden) was mated and definitely pregnant, but with a small litter. She was due on the 5th September but pups never materialised and we assumed she'd absorbed. However a few days after her due date she was in her box and this smell hit me, when I looked there was a small amount of poo there (looked normal consistancy) but her bedding was also covered in mucus which I think had a slightly reddish tinge.

She's since been to the vet for a check up and all is ok but I wondered if that might shed some light on what happened? I know we'll never know for sure, but it's the first time I've heard anyone mention anything similiar (aside from the mucus plug) and I wondered if the discharge signified anything in particular!

yes shes delivered puppies 6 days ago and is having contractions every 10 minutes vet doesnt no what it is and are now suggesting spadding her??? please help

This may be for the best if she is not needed for future breeding, otherwise the use of Oxytocin or other Prostoglandins to empty the uterus and antibiotics to fight infection would see the best option.