Does anyone have any knowledge of bitches absorbing puppies?
Is there anything that can be done to prevent it?
Is it an ongoing problem for the bitch concerned ie will she ever have a normal pregnancy?
Are some breeds more prone than others?
Any advice would be welcome

I have a little knowledge on the subject

CAUSE
a) infection or worm infestation causing an infection
b) hormonal imbalance
c) inadequate nutrition
d) trauma ie road traffic accident, fight in late pregnancy
e) inherited
f) older bitch

TREATMENT
Essential to get to a vet if reabsorbtion is suspected

PREVENTION
a) Good husbandry and nutrition
b) Avoid, where possible, administration of medicines

As for breeds susceptable, I'm not too sure. I have heard that the breed I have (mini dachshunds) are quite prone and indeed I have gone through a period where I was not sure if the bitch was starting to reabsorb, but thankfully all appears to be okay now.
I know of a few breeders whose bitch has reabsorbed and then gone on to give birth to healthy litters.
Hope this helps

Hi, just wondered why it was essential to get to a vet if re absorbtion is suspected? In my experience the bitch has no problems after re absorbtion-or have I just been lucky? I would agee that a visit to the vet after aborting early but why for re absorbtion?

Hi, puppies can be absorbed up to around 42 days gestation, and commonly between 4th and 6th week. Reapsorbtion causes the bitch few problems, so if she appears ill there may be infection - though with some infections the bitch displays no outward symptoms at all, so you have no idea that infection is present. Any sort of trauma can cause it, or even that the bitch is not totally happy with her surroundings - maybe there is another dog or more likely a bitch in the household who is higher up the pecking order and makes her feel unseasy about giving birth there. Mine never go anywhere much after 3 weeks of pregnancy and they dont meet strange dogs or get put into any difficukt situations. I certainly dont take them to the vet for a check up, unless it is really necessary, for instance, as I feel they will be stressed and also may pick up an infection there. Many bitches re absorb and go on to have normal litters. Dont know about different breeds though - it happened a couple of times to my bitches and both whelped next time.

Hi LD, have sent you an article on it cos its a bit long & been having trouble getting on here all afternoon, what with ma larkins & pretty bad weather over here. Don`t know if it`s any good to you tho.
Christine2

iam having the same problem with my english bull . i was told to have her thyroid t2 t3 t4 tested , i did and they were out of wack , she is on med now . i will be having her progesterone levels tested also if she gets pregnant this time , i just breed her monday , if the progesterone levels fall under 5 she starts to lose pups , do some reserch on this subject . and read alot . good luck and i hope i have luck this time also

Its also very common in horses stress seams to be a major cause,
sandy.