While panting immediately after birth is a completely normal occurrence, prolonged panting is not. If this issue continues for several days after delivering puppies, your dog may be experiencing problems such as: an incomplete birth, milk fever, a high temperature, heart problems, or pain of some sort.
Retained Pups/Placentas
If your dog is panting and appears in discomfort, it could be she has retained placentas or puppies. This is why it's so important to see your vet after the new mom whelps. The vet may give an oxytocin "clean-out" shot that will help her uterus contract and expel any retained material.
Eclampsia typically occurs at peak milk demand about 2-3 weeks after delivery but it can occur even during delivery. The low calcium levels can result in panting, restlessness, pacing, crying, disorientation, increased thirst and urination, gait problems, tremors, muscle spasms and seizures.
These are signs that he isn't getting enough oxygen. Your dog is a nursing mother. Deep, intense, heavy panting may be a symptom of eclampsia, also called milk fever, which is a dangerous condition caused by a drop in blood calcium levels.
A Shaking New Mom
When a mother dog begins producing milk, a large amount of calcium is required. This shift of calcium into the milk leaves the rest of the body depleted. The mother dog may be observed to neglect her puppies, act nervous, pant and exhibit stiffness or whole body tremors as a result of the low calcium.
A few days after your dog has given birth
She has a fever, is unwell with a loss of appetite, is listless or lacks interest in the puppies. Any of these could indicate an infection within her uterus. Her mammary glands are red, firm and painful, or discharge from her nipples is smelly, brown or bloody.
Try Dog Appeasing Pheromones
Dog appeasing pheromones are synthetic pheromones similar to the calming pheromones that female dogs give off while nursing puppies. These pheromones can help reduce anxiety in some dogs and are available in a few different forms.
On average a healthy dog will take between 15 to 35 breaths per minute when they are resting. (By nature your dog will breathe more heavily and pant when exercising). Therefore, anything more than 40 breaths a minute when your dog is at rest is considered to be abnormal and should be investigated.
The signs are initially subtle. The female may be restless or panting, and you may notice that she is moving stiffly, which may progress to inability to walk. This soon progresses to muscle spasms (tetany) affecting the whole body, which can quickly progress to convulsing.
The best way to determine if a dog still has puppies inside her is to x-ray her abdomen. Sometimes, it is possible to palpate and feel the presence of pups, but occasionally a pup may be within the birth canal and be missed using this method.
Symptoms of Retained Afterbirth in Dogs
The most telling sign that there is still placenta retained in the mother is the presence of greenish or dark discharge from the vaginal canal that continues for 24 hours or more after giving birth.
Recovery of Maternal Behavior Problems in Dogs
Your dog will recover as soon as her hormones level out, which takes 4 to 6 weeks in most dogs. Regular visits with your veterinarian will keep your dog healthy and happy.
Stage 2 – this is the actual delivery of the puppy! There are visible and strong contractions, and she may pant or yelp. It shouldn't last more than 2 hours, and in most cases less than one.
Often, heavy panting is caused by excessive exercise or due to very hot conditions. Excessive panting can be a warning sign that your dog is becoming dangerously hot or starting to struggle with their breathing, so recognising the warning signs is crucial to helping your dog.
It is important to have the mother and puppies examined by your veterinarian within forty-eight hours of birth. The veterinarian will check the mother to make sure there is no infection and that she is producing sufficient milk.
While panting immediately after birth is a completely normal occurrence, prolonged panting is not. If this issue continues for several days after delivering puppies, your dog may be experiencing problems such as: an incomplete birth, milk fever, a high temperature, heart problems, or pain of some sort.
Excessive panting is a common symptom of discomfort or pain. In fact, dogs who are uncomfortable often exhibit panting well before more obvious indicators of pain, such as whining or limping, arise. When the heart is doing an inadequate job of pumping blood around the body, the tissues become deprived of oxygen.
Your dog or cat may be panting but that doesn't necessarily mean that their breathing is labored. Labored breathing actually means that your pet is struggling to breathe. Below our Berkeley vets explain what labored breathing in dogs and cats is and what to do if your pet is having difficulties breathing.
Most dog food prints recommended dosing for lactating mother dogs on the label. Make sure she always has access to hard kibble and fresh water because lactating dogs also tend to drink more than non-nursing dogs. Throughout the foster period, feed mom as much as she will eat – you cannot over feed a momma dog!
Many breeders encourage food intake by offering highly palatable products, such as ice cream, homemade mixtures (for example, mix one can of evaporated milk, one can of water, three egg yolks and one-quarter cup of Karo syrup; heat, then let cool), puppy-milk replacers or a growth-and-lactation commercial cat food.
Once a dog gives birth to her puppies, two different hormones contribute to her motherly instincts. The first is oxytocin, sometimes called the “love hormone.” It's what drives a mother dog to nuzzle her puppies or wrap around them to keep them warm while nursing.
In nursing female dogs, heavy milk production can lead to hypocalcemia (milk fever) and may result in seizures. Pets with abnormally low calcium levels often show signs of muscle twitching, loss of appetite, weakness, and listlessness. In severe cases, pets may have convulsions or seizures.
Milk thistle is one natural supplement known to help nursing mothers with their milk-making. Other dogs benefit from taking zinc while providing for their pups. In small doses, apricot can also increase milk production. Whatever you decide, it's always best to run it by your vet before you begin supplementing.
Her newborn pups can also trigger strong maternal instincts in your dog. Your once calm and well-socialized dog can become possessive (or aggressive) to whoever goes near her litter. She may also become overprotective and will try to hide her pups from people or other pets at home she may see as a threat.