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Dog Not Eating or Drinking After Having Puppies

May 6, 2022

My dog Bella just gave birth April 16th this year. She had complications giving birth. The one she was able to push out was one that was stillborn. She was able to push one more out and it was healthy after that she wouldn't push. We took her to the vet to have a c-section but sadly the 5 other puppies were gone.

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Now after a month she hasn't eaten since Tuesday April 3. We have tried dog food, chicken, anything else we could think of but she still won't eat. She also has been nipping at her pup, my family, my other dog. She ate 3 bites of canned chicken and threw it up. We are taking her to the vet Saturday if she won't eat by then. Any recommendations as to what's happening or any other of your pups experiencing this? If they have what did you do?

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
May 6, 20221 found this helpful
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This is too long a period of time for your dog to go without eating.
does she drink water? If she drinks water you might try diluted chicken broth until you go to your vet tomorrow.
I believe it is essential that you take her to the vet ASAP as she has to be in a very weakened state and being in this condition makes her very susceptible to other health problems.

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It's possible the vet will place her on intravenous fluids and may need to keep her for a few days. This will be very expensive but it may be necessary to save her life. Hopefully, she has not reached this stage.

Here is a link from the American Kennel Club about how to deal with this problem.
www.akc.org/.../

This is not an uncommon problem. Some of these answers may help deal with her after her vet visit.
www.thriftyfun.com/Dog-Not-Eating-or-Drinking-After...

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February 6, 2021

My dog Lucy gave birth about a few days ago, maybe about a week now. She gave birth to two puppies but they ended up passing away. After that, she refused to eat everything I gave her; hot dogs, hamburger patties, canned dog food, soup and chicken.

I am worried about her she is losing weight and she seems not to have interest in anything. She rests the whole day and only gets up to drink water. Yes, I do have other dogs but I don't think that helps her anything. Please help.

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February 6, 20211 found this helpful
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You should really take her to a vet.
It could be that she is grieving.
It could also be that she has an infection in her uterus, called a pyometra or an unborn puppy.

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In any of these scenarios she should be seen by a vet. It is good that she is drinking, but a week without eating can be serious, and it sounds like you have offered her some very tempting things that would be hard to pass up.
Please have her checked by a vet as soon as possible.
Good luck!

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
February 7, 20210 found this helpful
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This is so sad. I'm sure she would have been a great mother.
You have to be very careful in situations like this because grieving this long is not a good sign and although this may not be a good time for a vet visit, I believe you need to take her just in case there are problems you cannot physically see. If there are no other health problems, your vet can prescribe a medication to help her through this period in her life.

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Here is some advice provided by a well known vet:
"Though human instinct may tell you to be patient and comforting in the wake of your dog's loss, this actually can enable and encourage bad habits, like lethargy, making your dog's mourning symptoms more severe over time, not less. Instead, help your dog move on by maintaining a consistent routine. This gives her a sense of direction and can help guide her out of a grieving period. You can even increase her exercise and playtime, which naturally boosts her serotonin levels and improves her mood."

"The apparent manifestations of your dog's emotional distress may be more than just a sign of mourning - they could indicate a medical problem. Symptoms, like loss of appetite and lethargy, are associated with dog depression, but they also can indicate postpartum complications, like an infected uterus or infected mammary glands. If your dog appears to be depressed after the death of a newborn puppy, don't assume that she's grieving. Have her checked out by a veterinarian, so you can rule out any physical complications."

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Hope she is able to overcome this sad period in her life and return to being her happy healthy self.

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August 17, 2017

My dog large had 17 pups, 4 died. Can she nurse 13 pups? One day later, she is not drinking or eating. What should I do?


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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
August 17, 20173 found this helpful
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After my female dog gave birth to her puppies she refused to eat or drink. She wouldn't leave the puppies alone for the first 24 to 48 hours. This is the most critical time for the new puppies. I had to take her food and water to her. She finally started eating a little bit later on.

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Normally new puppies will suck on their mom for the first 24 hours non-stop. This is what I saw with my dog. The dog needs the antibiotics that are supplied in the mother's milk. This is normal. Try moving her water bowl and food bowl closer to her. This helped and my female did eat and drink after I did this. The first 3 days I had to keep filling her water dish all the time and leave it next to her.

The mother is also keeping the puppies warm. New puppies can't see or hear until they are around 18 to 21 days old. They can smell and they need the warmth of each other and the mother. They have no way of keeping warm on their own.

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May 20, 2020

My Pit Bull gave birth this past Sunday. She's not eating, but is drinking her water. Please advise.


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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
May 21, 20201 found this helpful
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She may be very excited about caring for her new babies I hope she has started eating.

Be sure no one is messing around very much with her babies as they can get worried and not want to leave them - even to eat.
Most vets recommend that all food and water be placed very close to the new Mom so she does not have to leave her pups.
Also, give her the type of food she really loves (at least for a while) and some recommend a little puppy food as this is easier (and faster) for her to digest. You cannot give her just puppy food and not for a long period of time as it may not have enough of the right ingredients an adult dog needs.

Be very sure she drinks a lot of water as this is very important for her health and the babies health.

If possible, take her to her vet but if not, then maybe a phone call to see what they tell you to do.

You can read what some vets recommend:

www.wikihow.pet/Feed-and-Hydrate-a-Mother-Dog

www.pethealthnetwork.com/.../monitoring-new-mother-after-puppy...

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November 13, 2019

My dog has been nursing for 2 weeks and hasn't produced enough milk so a few days ago I started feeding them myself along with her, but now I have to force her to nurse and she has stopped eating and drinking. What can I do?


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June 12, 2019

My baby Henn just had puppies yesterday and she was drinking and eating, but now she won't drink any water and I have to bring her the food. I have the water bowl and food in front of her.

Dog Not Eating or Drinking After Having Puppies
 

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
June 12, 20190 found this helpful

She needs to drink to feed her puppies. I would call the vet.

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June 12, 20190 found this helpful

She is most likely just caring for her pups basically making sure theyre ok before she is just like if u where a mother you feed your children before you feed yourself Im pretty sure shell go back to eat eventually

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Anonymous
June 13, 20190 found this helpful

Yes I know but she is eating but she want on her on but she will when I feed her but she is laying around not her self

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 226 Feedbacks
June 14, 20191 found this helpful

You could try adding water to her food to get her to drink more. If she continues to not eat and drink she needs to see the Vet. I suspect she is just adjusting to the puppies. Be sure she has a quiet place to be with her puppies where she feels safe and relaxed.

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January 4, 2020

My female dog gave birth and none of the puppies survived. Ever since 2 days ago when another puppy came out of her, which we also found dead, she hasn't been eating or drinking.

What should we do to help her?

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July 26, 2010

My 4 year old Yorkie just had a litter of 6. All are well. She, on the other hand, will not eat much of anything, but drinks okay. She is nursing well and I am afraid that it is draining her without replenishing. She also is still doing the nesting ritual. She is alert and active. Any suggestions?

By johnny c from FL

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July 26, 20101 found this helpful

I recommend you give her vet a call, just to be sure. They can refer back to her medical records and give the best advice. I hope mama is feeling better soon!

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July 26, 20101 found this helpful

Thanks. I took her to vet today again and they said that she was fine, took blood all was good. They also gave her some fluids. Suggested we force feed he with a syringe with some prescription food for a few days. She is looking better already.

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July 26, 20101 found this helpful

:-) I'm really glad you took her in, and that she's already improving! Did they say why this might be happening? I've never had a pet who had babies (all of our pets have been fixed), so I don't know if this is normal/to be expected. Again, I'm so glad she's starting to do better!

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July 25, 20191 found this helpful

Thanks I put water in her feed and feed her and she started to eat .. sometime you have to feed it to her. But I also give her Vitamins so it would give her Appetite

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April 26, 2020

My dog gave birth to 4 pups 34 hours ago and she will not stop panting and also doesn't want to drink water. How can I help her?


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April 17, 2018

How long will the bitch refuse to eat after giving birth to four puppies?


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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
April 17, 20180 found this helpful

She devotes her attention to the pups for 24-48 hours. Call the vet if she doesnt eat after that.

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July 26, 2010

My toy Yorkie just had pups on Oct 16th, but they both died. Does anyone know how I can help her? She is looking for her pups and is not eating.

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