Hi all

First Post here and after a bit of advice. This forum has been a wealth of knowledge to me over the past few weeks as I've negotiated the minefield of breeding, pregnancy and finally whelping.

My girl has just had her first litter. My 2nd litter. First being 5 years ago but that was a C Sec (3 pups) so never got to experience the birth.
This litter is from my homebred bitch so I can keep one (or two if I can convince the oh)

So this litter came into the world Thursday and was eventful but all worked out well and my girl was absolutely amazing for her 1st and what will be only time. She had 7. Completely didn't expect that many so was a lovely surprise.

My question relates to discharge. I know to expect discharge for a few days after but want to check if right colour.
She has fairly small spots or blobs and the occasional string when peeing and it is the same dark greeny colour that occurred through birth. Is that normal?
She did retain a placenta at birth but then passed it at 3am the same night after birth so nothing should be left in her but what do you all think?

I'm reluctant to cart her off to the vet just yet as I would like her to settle and connect with her babies. She is being a fantastic mumma with the occasional bit of confusion or nervousness so don't wish to part her for a significant time yet.
Her temp is 38.1. She is drinking well and eating moderately but likes to be handfed unless its her favourite treat which she'll take my hand off for.

Does this all seem normal? Or should the discharge be a concern purely on its colour?

It's completely normal for her to have dark bloody discharge for weeks after whelping, not just a few days. Some green discharge for a few days would also be acceptable, it's just what didn't come out during whelping is coming out now.

You want to be concerned if you see a significant amount of frank red blood.

By the way, really don't keep 2 puppies. You risk littermate syndrome and them bonding to each other more than you and training isn't just twice as hard, it's infinitely more difficult. Give every pup the time and attention they need, in their own home and just keep one

Thank you. OK, nothing to worry about then. Feel a bit like I'm an helicopter mum at the moment. Lol

Didn't even think about littermate syndrome! Thanks. Tbh, I dont think I'll be allowed to keep 2 anyway, he would probably threaten divorce.

> eating moderately but likes to be handfed

I  always hand feed bitches for a while after whelping, so perfectly normal to me.

Yes.   With a natural whelping you can expect a reasonable amount of blood, or even green-coloured discharge, maybe for longer than a few days, but if it becomes copious, foul smelling and the bitch is unwell, then you must have your vet involved.   It's often recommended that you take a bitch (and her puppies) to your vet when you feel she has finished for her to be checked to make sure she is empty (and for a clear-out shot) and the puppies checked for something you may have missed.   You would need to let them have a good top up before leaving for the vet, and they'd need to be on a warm pad in a box, alongside mum so she doesn't get distressed.  Whether you do this is up to you.

As for keeping two - as we only ever bred for our next generation, we almost always kept two (usually bitches) and even kept three (two bitches and the best male) from one litter of 9 - they were that good.   Usually so we had more time to decide which was the best - but we always ended up keeping those we'd chosen.   We had no problems with having two siblings.   Again whether or not you decided two are good enough to keep, is up to you.  Perhaps I was lucky but our puppies always looked to me first

MamaBas:  > Yes.   With a natural whelping you can expect a reasonable amount of blood, or even green-coloured discharge, maybe for longer than a few days
Totally agree and I've detected discharge for up to a week without a problem'

Not sure if I would move Mum & Puppies to a Vet's Surgery though.  A home visit would be my choice but hey everyone has differing views'

No problems with having two siblings: 
Like your own experience of keeping 2 puppies back from a litter, I found it a fab decision (one bitch, one dog).  They were bonded with each other - yes - ofcourse - natural but having reared them, I was the main focus - not because they loved me to bits but because I was seen as the main food supply - no problems with that either! Training wasn't an issue as one watched the other from a distance {outside run) and I'm convinced this was a help not a hinderence.

Are vets doing home visits atm ?

> Are vets doing home visits atm ?

Not in my area - heck they are hardly doing on their premises visits!!

I haven't needed one but have been at the vets numerous times since lockdown .
apart from talking in the carpark at a distance and taking dog ir cat into their consult room without me all is normal .
As I have 2 animals needing regular treatment I've been to 3 different vets . Its become a bit of a joke.that the vet is my social life now !
Sorry u are still having problems in your area as they are now on the essential list like doctors

> Are vets doing home visits atm

Sorry guys - didn't think.  Our Vet makes home visits but maybe that's due to the numbers of animals we have on the farm.  He seems to be my only social contact atm too!

I’ve seen a mobile vet making house calls locally, but the consult seemed to happen with the dog in the boot of the family’s car.