Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 9/3/2008

Question
What can we do to help her?  She delivered 7pups OK and for two weeks has been taking normal care ofthem and running around our other dogs but spent most of the time with the pups.  She';s been urinating and deficating normally. She seems exhausted and now won't eat or drink.


Answer
Mary-Annice -

What are you feeding the mom?  If she is tired, she may be losng too many nutrients while feeding her pups.  She is feeding an awful lot of puppies; smaller dogs like Lhasas do not usually give birth to so many puppies at one time. Feed her puppy food the entire time she is nursing her babies.

If her abdomen is sore when you pick her up, have her examined by a veterinarian.  He/she can better determine what why she is so painful when you handle her.


Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM