My Toy bitch has developed a dark red (brown) discharge out of her vulva( 8 weeks pregnant). I took her back to the vets tonight and he said it could be a sign of a dead puppy. He said because she was fine in her self just to wait. He said if she starts to become unwell and stops eating and sickness he will have no choice but to do a cesar but he said the puppies will definetley die as they're only 8 weeks old I know they can live this young when delivered normally but obvs not when c section?????. Im so worried has anyone else experienced this. There was only a little discharge what had crusted on the vulva no weeping out.

sorry i carnt say has i dont have toys but wanted to say ive got everything crossed for her and you ,please keep us posted ,each day she is eating and is ok in herself is a day closer to her having them ((hugs)) ,i know not long ago some1 on here had the same thing about 4days before pups were born vet told them could be dead pup but she went on to have all live pups and it turned out to be her girls plug so hoping this is the case for you too xx

> but he said the puppies will definetley die as they're only 8 weeks old

   

Glad that's not my vet!  I am worried that your vet doesn't know that toy pups are perfectly viable at 8 weeks. 

My vet actually EXPECTS to deliver live pups from a C-section.  Thank god.

I haven't had such a dischage, so am only advising what I would do with my toys. 

If, as you say, she is not weeping out, and she is perfectly fine in herself, then just watch her closely.  Yes, if she looks  ill or seems to be far too quiet, I would want an x-ray or scan to help me decide on the way forward.  But then, I would be discussing with my vet what my options are, and would be telling him what my decision is.  I am concerned that, if your vet thinks that whelps are not viable, that no effort will be made.  At my surgery, it is the veterinary nurses responsibility to get the pups going while the vet sees to the bitch.

Do you not have a better vet localy?

Hi Jean and thanks for your help. T

Hi Jean and thanks for your advice. To be honest he is one of the best vets in the area (he accepts referals from all over in othopedic surgery) I usually see the worst one but I rang up and asked who was consulting this afternoon and they said him and the two other vets. Maybe he was just saying that to cover his back or to make him look like god if they survive?

He said he could do a scan but said there isn't much point because even if there is a dead puppy there is nothing he can do about it until it starts to pass its toxins on to the mother making her ill and then he would want to operate. He said he would rather wait until labour starts then if there is problems the puppys would have a better chance of survival in the event of a cesar. Does this all sound right (what your vets would say). I dont know how to find a breeding specialist as it seems I have the best of whats available. Im so worried I cant even eat or sleep.

> Im so worried I cant even eat or sleep.

I didn't mean to cause such anxiety!!   I don't think, at this stage, many of us get too much sleep to be honest.

Just watch your girl carefully for any indications that she is not well.  At the end of the day, she is more important to you than pups (hope it doesn't come to that!)

There is a bit of a difference between scans and x-rays, as an x-ray - to the informed eye, will show if there is a pup that is too big.  And if you have the best vet in the area, you have to go with that.  Be alert to any signs of inertia, as it is so easy to miss if you haven't seen it before.  And the last thing you want is a worn out bitch.  I sincerely hope that things go ok, and the slight discharge is nothing to do with a dead pup.  But, if there is one, I don't think your girl will be too chirpy for long, and you wouldn't miss the difference in her.  Good Luck!  And sending positive vibes, let us all know how things progress.

Hi yeah I suppose the lack of sleep is normal:). Will keep an eye on her 24hrs aday and report to the vet if she starts feeling unwell. thanks so much for your advice. dont know what I would do without you all!

If were luckly enough to get to the labour stage ill watch very closely for inertia.

just wondering if there was a dead pup but it didnt cause a problem in regards to making the bitch ill could she still pass it eventhough it obviously wouldn't be able reposition its self? How long would a dead pup stay before it starts decomposing? my grandmother (said?) had a baby die in her womb but the doctors told her to go back in two weeks?? Not sure if she is trying to make me feel better or if its true.

HTH as regards to your granmother, she is telling you the truth, I bleed a little when I was pregnant, was sent for a scan and the baby was dead, was told to go home and wait till I lost it myself, which took 3 weeks lost it at 12 weeks pregnant.