Expert: Angela Donald - 7/27/2009

Question
I was just wondering.... My boxer had puppies the other night, she had a really hard time she ended up being in labor for 24 hours. I had taken her to the vet after she had the first two because she just stopped pushing and acted like she was done. I knew there were more in there so I took her in and they gave her a hormone to make her contract again. She pushed for the 3 puppy for 16+ hours and the puppy died, as did the next 3. My question is will she ever get over losing the puppies?  She has been digging in her birthing box, Looking outside & around the place she had them.  She is just sad! Will she get over it?

Answer
Hi Jessica , Yes she will get over it.But this is a traumatic experience for dogs.From what you have described to me, the mother is having anxiety because she can't find the pups. Keep her and the puppies in a quite calm environment for 21 days then move them into your kitchen to begin socialization.You do need to handle each puppy daily and weigh them to make sure they are gaining weight, always let the dam near when you do this so as to relieve some of her anxiety from missing the puppy.The dam should not have many visitors for a week to help relieve her anxiety. Jessica, 16+ hours is way too long to be in labor and pushing for one puppy and if it were me I'd never let her have puppies again and spay her. I'd do this for her own good since this is taking this kind of effect on her too. Good luck with the rest of the puppies and the dam. Thanks so much for your question.
Angela