Bunny is worrying me

TheBlackMoth

TheBlackMoth

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Bunny is being a very good mother and the puppies seem settled and content. They feed for a little then sleep. But Bunny is sat up and panting a lot of the time and it's quite scary to watch. I have spoken to the overnight vets and they have said to keep her quiet and calm and try and ignore her. As she has run up and down the stairs to go out and eaten well and drunk they are not very worried.

If she was human I would say mastitis as she has major boobs and they look sore and swellen. They have said keep an eye on her and call them again if I am worried. I have opened a window just in case she is just too hot.

I will have totally grey hair by the time these puppies are running around.
 
I would try not to worry too much - she is a first time mum, and some bitches do find the whole thing a bit stressing. Sorry, I don't want to put this in a rude way, but if you are fussing about her then she will become worse?

The main thing I would focus on is the puppies - are they quiet, well hydrated (pinch the skin on the back of the neck to test that) and clean? If so then I would just keep Mum as quiet as possible but not worry too much

About the milk thing - some bitches also produce loads of milk! If you have the patience, sit with the puppies and persuade them to drink from the teats which seem 'fullest' to try and make things equal all round!

I would say that if Bunny starts being majorly distressed (e.g. frantically digging up her bedding, whining a great deal) then it might be worth another call to the vets. Otherwise offer her a little drink, make sure she has been outside AND done her stuff (some bitches wont because they are thinking about their puppies) and keave her to it.

Hope this is of some help - you would never guess my Mum is a dog breeder
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Thanks for that - I am trying not to stress. It doesn't help that Bunny is my oldest daughters dog and she would be devastated if anything happened to her. I think it makes me over anxious.

I think you are right about not fussing. I am doing what the vet suggested which is ignoring her. I am in the room with her but not paying her attention and she has fallen asleep.
 
It sounds as if she has settled nicely then - I know exactly what you mean though, I still stress about bitches with puppies even though I have been around them since I was born!
 
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It sounds as if she has settled nicely then - I know exactly what you mean though, I still stress about bitches with puppies even though I have been around them since I was born!

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That's not a bad thing, it shows you care!

Agree, just leave her to settle, you may find she's just tired and as she's a first timer she's a little overwhelmed. It sounds like you're doing all the right things
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My bitch did that. She was stressed with everyone looking at the pups and fussing her all the time. I had to remove her and the pups to an outdoor heated kennel (lucky me) and she was fine. They all pant a lot. Especially in the first few days, it is as if their internal temperature has risen. Hang in there, don't fuss her or the pups more than necessary. Some bitches are more stressy than others, but she will be fine. Keep an eye on her gum colour, and check her mammerys for any hardness or heat. You can get a product called Calci D from online pet supplies which will counteract any calcium deficiancy. Keep us posted.
 
Yes I have to agree with Blythebeck, Lily panted a lot for the first couple of days too. I just assumed it was because of her enforced house-living and was too hot for her in here, but probably not as she stopped doing it after a few days.
 
I thought panting was totally normal, as each bitch of the 4 litters we've had panted. Also is she looking sore because of the puppies scratching her? Their claws can be pretty sharp.

They are extremely cute BTW!
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I did just what the vet said and left her alone. She is fine today - still doing the panting every now and then but being a great mum and the puppies are soooooooooo cute and so tiny.
 
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