My bitch Holly, is on day 57 of her pregnancy and yesterday her eyes started to "look sore". By this I mean that the 3rd eyelid started to come across and she generally looked sorry for herself. No temperature, eating well and still wanting to go for a little walk.
Today though, her face seems as if it has swollen slightly, and when I went to look in her mouth, she cried out. I immediately called the Vet and took her in for a look. The Vet didn't really know what was wrong but gave her an anti biotic injection in case of infection. Said to keep an eye on her and take her back if concerned. She seems o.k. in herself but I am concerned. Has anyone else seen anything like this?
This is Holly's 3rd pregnancy but she has never raised a litter, first litter of 3 pups born 10 days early and died. 2nd litter only 2 pups born one died almost immediately and the 2nd after me struggling for 10 days tube feeding and Vet giving fluids subcuteanously. This time she has had the CH vaccine so I am waiting on tenderhooks! She looks huge but until now has been a picture of health.

At this time of year I'd be thinking of bee/wasp stings perhaps :( Just kep a very close eye on her. You obviously did the right thing by going to the vet as soon as you saw that there was something wrong. Good luck. :)

The antibiotic injection should sort her out whatever it is, I take it she had a teeth and gums check also, sometimes an absess can cause swelling of the whole side of a face, also a reaction to a recent vaccine can also cause swelling.

But due to the season I agree with Lindylou it is most probably a sting or bite of some sort, hopefully the swelling will start to go down by tomorrow and all will be well again, you did the right thing in taking her to the vet, wishing her and yourself a happy event soon.

Been back to the Vet this morning, saw the senior partner and am still very worried. She is now unable to chew things and is only eating really soft foods. Her eyes still look partially covered by the 3rd eyelid and her face is still swollen. Vet says it's not a sting of any kind, if she hadn't been pregnant, he wanted to give her an anaesthetic and have a really good look in her mouth and look for possible absesses or somekind of tumours! As things are he gave her more anti biotics and pain killers and wants to see her on Wednesday or before, if things worsen. There is no way that she would be able to whelp normally with this mouth problem, I am worried sick.

This is a real worry, has your vet had a really good look at her teeth it just seems as though she has some sort of infection via her teeth or gums, it certainly would make her face and eye swell, I'm not thinking down the route of a tumour seems to have swollen up too fast I would think it is definitely some sort of infection or reaction to something, so try not to think about tumours right now. ;-)

Why do you think this will stop her whelping naturally? Yes it is terrible and no doubt painful but she will probably whelp normally, I guess if the swelling does not soon subside the plus side to a C - section would be that under general anesthetic your vet could have a proper look at her teeth/gums etc.

I know I mentioned it in my first post but has she had a recent vaccination there are side effects sometimes that can cause facial swellings.

Blend her food with water so that she can eat she needs to keep up her strength, give her foods like scrambled egg too she will be able to swollow that fine and perhaps my old favourite of goats milk with egg yolk anything to keep her going.

Keep us all informed with how she is, I hope that the antibiotics take soon, big hug to you both.

I have just got off the phone to a friend who is convinced that this is as a result of her having the 2nd Canaine Herpes vaccination last Monday (14th May). She has suggested contacting a homeopathic Vet, so if anyone knows of one on the South Coast I would be very grateful.

Carrington, when I said I was worrying about her whelping naturally I meant that she won't be able to tear open the bags and sever the cords by herself. I really am grateful for your helpful suggestions, I have just made her scrambled egg for supper and she was able to eat that. I'm off to the health food shop in the morning to buy Manuka Honey, as it has been recommended to me.

I will keep you posted....
Thanks again.

Just a quick update....Holly had 5 puppies last night, all doing well, so is she. The swelling has gone and she is back to her normal self.

Thanks

Congratulations on the pups :) Hard work from now on in. Believe me, I know. Mine are only 3 1/2 weeks old and are getting very vocal ;) especially at 1.30 in the morning.... :)

So pleased your girl is feeling so much better. Did you find out what it was?

Congrats on the pups and very pleased that Holly is okay.

I never did get a diagnosis from my Vet, I really think that it could have been a reaction to the CH Vaccine. I suppose I'll never know, but at least she is better and LOVES her babies!! When I am feeling more "normal" I will do a bit of searching on CH Vaccine side effects.

I am feeling like a complete zombie, have been up a lot over the last few nights (didn't go to bed at all on Thursday night) so I hope this post makes sense! It like I've had a baby myself, this isn't the first litter I have bred but somehow you forget the zombie-like state that comes over you for the first week or so. Still it looks like it will all be worth while as I have got my little bitch puppy that I was after!

I know exactly how you feel. My last puppy is leaving for her new home today and then I will just be down to the one I am keeping. I feel like I will be able to breath a sigh of relief. I know it is very rewarding but it is such hard work. Good luck for a healthy litter without any problems.