Signs of this condition are as follows:

• fever
• foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• listlessness
• loss of appetite
• no interest in the puppies
• decreased milk production

If these signs are noted, usually in the first day or two postpartum, a veterinarian should be consulted. Your dog may have retained a placenta or have suffered some trauma during delivery. Animals who have required assistance with delivery are often predisposed to metritis.

This condition results when the bitch has trouble supporting the calcium demand of lactation. Calcium supplementation predisposes a bitch to this condition. Usually affected animals are small dogs. They demonstrate:

• nervousness and restlessness
• no interest in or even aggression towards the pups
• stiff, painful gait

This progresses to:

• muscle spasms
• inability to stand
• fever
• seizures

This condition generally occurs in the first 3 weeks of lactation and a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.

Normal nursing glands are soft and enlarged. Diseased glands are red, hard, and painful. In general, the bitch does not act sick; the disease is confined to the mammary tissue. The bitch may be sore and discourage the pups from nursing; however, it is important to keep the pups nursing the affected glands. This is not harmful to the puppies and helps flush out the infected material. Hot packing may be helpful.

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References: Portions of this article were taken from these articles:

Freshman, Joni L. Dvm, MS, DACVIM. The Dam's The Thing: Care Of The Pregnant Bitch. Veterinary Information Network, Inc. www.veterinarypartner.com.

Birthing Puppies. VeterinaryPartner.com. Veterinary Information Network, Inc. www.veterinarypartner.com