the four pups are doing great, all gaining weight. I am running on fumes, and my dog appears to have retained a placenta. took her in today. they gave her oxytocin and a shot of baytril. also perscibed cephalexin tabs. she has a rising temp. was 101.1 this morning and 101.5 now. my vet asked if she was still nursing, I said yes, I didnt inquire if those antibiotics are safe for nursing pups, I'm just so fried from sleep deprivation, whats everyones say on this? I have found conflicting info on the internet.
I have not started the oral cephalexin (maybe wait? and monitor tempurature, if it continues to climb then give it to her?). the shot well thats in her. obviously I dont want to lose my dam and I want her to be healthy and able to nurse if possible. what a complicated whelping.

So sorry I am late to this post, I was at an agility seminar all weekend - glad we have 4 babies doing well.

I can't speak to the Ceph, maybe Betty is better for that one.

Keep the puppies warm. Internal temp should be holding steady at 99F.

My female retained placenta's (2), I got her a shot of antibiotics and just watched her temp closely. Anything above 103 will have me on the phone with the vet. Its not unusual for a nursing moms temp to be at 102 for the first few days after whelping, just watch it closely.

Otherwise, just watch her discharge, she should expel the rest on her own, just broken down. I didn't find any additional placentas, just her discharge was thick and green for day or two. So just keep a close eye on it. Start orals if her fever gets high again - try to be proactive and catch it early.

Weights on babies everyday, twice a day to make sure they are gaining.

Make sure to supplement calcium - maybe 2 x 1000mg tums a day to start.

Watch for mastitis.

Let us know how everything goes over the next 48 hours.

Sorry for the horrible whelping, but glad you have these 4 on the ground.

Also, I might suggest a bigger whelping box, with pig rails and make sure you are helping her in and out of the box until the puppies are about 20 days old if she has a habit of flopping on them.

Some moms are better about not crushing puppies than others. Some mastiff or Dane breeders keep their puppies completely separate from mom other than feeding time to avoid crushed puppies. Depends totally on the dam.

I would just keep an eye on them to make sure they stay towards the centre so she can get beside them for now.

It took my female about a week to realize she doesn't have to get right on top of them, if she laid on the other side of the box, they would make their way to her LOL

dam and pups doing well shot of oxitocin and antibiotics have the dam eating and drinking and passing uh stuff, pups fat and happy. rearranged whelping bed and they are together, though under a watchful eye at all times. so far so good. thanks again for all the advice and info.

 Quote: Amelia de Rudder

dam and pups doing well shot of oxitocin and antibiotics have the dam eating and drinking and passing uh stuff, pups fat and happy. rearranged whelping bed and they are together, though under a watchful eye at all times. so far so good. thanks again for all the advice and info.

Awesome!!

Pictures are always welcome once everyone is settled

 Quote: Amelia de Rudder

dam and pups doing well shot of oxitocin and antibiotics have the dam eating and drinking and passing uh stuff, pups fat and happy. rearranged whelping bed and they are together, though under a watchful eye at all times. so far so good. thanks again for all the advice and info.

That's very good news! I hope all continues to go well from this point on.

trying to post pix, if I cant, I will just say that they look like fat little ground hogs.

You can post a link to Photobucket (or similar).

i'm glad to hear things are going well for the puppies amelia .

i know it is heart wrenching witnessing those little beginning lives get extinguished , especially when you feel you might have been able to prevent it , but i think nature has a way of determining how many pups mom can successfully bring through puppyhood .