Monitor your mother dog’s vaginal discharge post-whelping. Take your dog’s temperature to make sure that she doesn’t spike a fever. A high temperature for a dog is a temperature over 102. 5 degrees Fahrenheit. You can take your dog’s temperature either rectally with a mercury thermometer or in your dog’s ear with an ear thermometer. Weigh the puppies every day, and track their weights to make sure that they gain every day. You will need to find a way to distinguish the puppies from each other if they look similar to each other. It’s important that you know if one of the puppies is not gaining.
It is important that you are able to recognize the symptoms of Eclampsia (milk fever), metritis, and mastitis in your mother dog. Eclampsia occurs when a mother dog’s calcium is low and usually happens in small dogs. Symptoms include stiff gait, trouble standing, restlessness, pacing, panting, fever, muscle spasms, seizures, and lack of interest in her puppies. Metritis is usually caused by after-birth or a stillborn puppy that remains in the mother dog. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, smelly discharge, fast heart rate, dehydration, panting, vomiting, and diarrhea. Mastitis is an infection in the dog’s mammary glands. Symptoms include red, hot, inflamed nipples. [2] X Research source You should also be sure to deal with nipple guarding among your puppies, which can lead to fading puppy syndrome and death.
Because you want to avoid the risk of infection with your newborn pups and the mother, ask if the veterinarian will make a home visit. Although it may cost extra, it prevents you from risking the health of your dog and pups. Be clear with the clinic staff about why you are bringing your dog, especially if the mother or pups are experiencing any postpartum complications, such as eclampsia, metritis, or mastitis. Say, “My dog recently gave birth, and I need to have her evaluated to make sure that she is recovering well. I also want to have the puppies checked. Her temperature has peaked at 102 degrees Fahrenheit, so she appears to be doing well. However, one of the puppies is struggling to gain weight. "
Detailed notes can help your veterinarian diagnose things like fading puppy syndrome in the pups or mastitis in the mother.
You might ask things like “What do I do if a puppy doesn’t nurse?” “What do I do if the mother does not produce enough milk?” “What do I do if the mother refuses to nurse the puppies?” “What can I do if a puppy prevents other puppies from nursing?” “What is normal behavior for a postnatal dog?” “How often should the puppies nurse?” and “When should I call for an appointment?”
You should not clean the pups. The mother will do that and it is an important part of the bonding process. Wait until your dog has cleaned her puppies, and then throw out the soiled bedding. Replace it with clean bedding.
Because of the demands of nursing, the mother will likely eat much more than she did before the delivery. Ask your vet how much and what kind of food to feed your dog.
A carrier may also make it easier to transport your dog and pups to the veterinarian. Because the mother dog will be protective of her puppies, she may need to be removed during the check-up while the vet is handling the pups. If you can, have another adult attend the visit with you who can sit with your dog.
You may also want to bring along one of your dog’s favorite toys to play with.
It is important to keep the pups calm. Once they begin to cry, the mother will become anxious and agitated. Because it may be nearly impossible to avoid distractions, it may be easier to ask your veterinarian to make a house call.
Try to get the clinic 10 to 15 minutes before your appointment.
You should also let the staff know if your dog has a history of being aggressive. If your dog is aggressive, she may need to be restrained and/or muzzled.
Ask things like “When should I get the pups vaccinated?” “When should I spay the mother dog?” “How can I keep the puppies healthy?” “When should I start transitioning the puppies to puppy food?” “What kind of puppy food should I feed them?” “Does my mother dog require additional walks?” and “How can I keep my dog’s nipples healthy?”
Once your puppies reach 6 weeks, it is important that you get them immunized. A puppy’s immune system is particularly weak and vulnerable to a number of dangerous illnesses.
Ask “What’s the best way to get my dog to take her medicine?” “How do I know that my dog’s condition is worsening instead of improving?” and “Can my dog still nurse while she’s taking the medication?” Ask when to come in for a follow-up exam.
