obsessed grieving dog

[kippyboo]

My jack russell bitch unfortunately gave birth 5 days early early on Friday/Saturday. Sadly 6 of the puppies were stillborn I managed to revive one but it was very weak, luckily she had one healthy pup. the sickly puppy died during Saturday night but my poor little girl refused to let me take it from her and even carriedaround the garden when i let her out to toilet, she seem distressed and kept having periods of panting. I eventually took the dead pup away sunday night and on Monday morning took the mother and healthy pup to the vets to be checked over. Vet says they are both fine but gave mum a course of antibiotics as a precaution. Since then Mum refuses to leave the box I have to carry her out to toilet and am finding it difficult to get her to eat or drink much.She just seems obsessed with hiding the pup under her I think shes afraid I will take it off her as I did the dead one. Sorry its so long winded but has anyone any suggestions. Thanks

[DanAB]

she is looking after her pup, most likely keeping it close to her teets for feeding.

[lankeela]

Such a sad story and something that people do not ever anticipate might happen when they mate their bitch.

I would have left the dead puppy with her until she started to push it away, usually after a couple of days. Make sure she has plenty of newspaper down so she does not have to leave her remaining puppy, she is obviously worried you will take the last one away if she goes outside and leaves it. A bit of inconvenience clearing up after her is a small price to pay for her peace of mind.

I had a bitch that lost all 3 of her puppies(sadly at 2 to 3 weeks old), and just spent loads of time with her, grooming her and giving her titbits, then taking her for walks with the others until she was back to normal.

[mrs.chappie]

Sorry I cannot offer any practical advice, just wanted to say how sorry I am to read such a sad story.

The poor wee thing, hope she is feeling happier very soon. Condolences to you too.Take care. xxxx

[paraffin]

Mega amounts of tlc and reassurance are what's needed, for the little soul's clearly grieving, having been through such a traumatic experience.

She's obviously being hyper protective towards her only remaining baby and she'll need time to come to terms with what's happened.

Best of luck, thinking of you.

[Nosha123]

such a sad story..I too have no proper advice I am afraid...except that - if like humans - time could help heal!

Lots of fussing and spoiling I think willhelp. Love and attention and hopefully time will pass and she will slowly get better!

So sorry..must have been traumatic for you too!!!

[BeatySwalls]

hey yes it is a very sad story indeed the poor thing. the only thing I can think of is buying her a few of these:

http://www.theoldeteddybearshoppe.com/Images/g anz/BuddyDog-L.JPG

she might look after them like her own
all the best

[mrs.chappie]

What a lovely thought from Beaty there. ^^^

[Schutzengel]

So sorry for your poor little dog, and for you. Lankeela's advice is very sound. I do hope your dog feels more settled in a day or two, Best wishes. Schutz.

[kippyboo]

Thankyou all you lovely people for your help and kind thoughts. In hindsight Lankeela perhaps I should have waited for her to be ready to give up on the dead puppy.
On a brighter note she had a minute in the garden with me earlier and she has eaten a little minced steak tonight and had a drink, her little one is very fat and content., he is going to be a little chubby checker with no competition for milk and all them teats to choose from. Twigs (mum ) seems more settled tonight shes sat in her box watching me and seems much brighter . Just hope her appetite and exuberance returns over the next couple of days, poor lass has been through the mill.
Thankyou all again x

[mrs.chappie]

Hey, that's great news that she seems a bit brighter. Hope you'll keep us posted as to how she gets on. xx

[wolf63]

It must be horrible for her just now - her hormones are all over the place, she lost 5 puppies and you 'stole' one from her. All too confusing when you don't really understand what is happening.

However she seems to be looking after the remaining puppy - this is good as she could have lost all interest in it after all the upset.

Best wishes for all three of you.

[Ice.Maiden]

How very sad. Beaty beat me to it though. I'd have put one or more little soft toy dogs in her basket and then let your dog tell you when she was ready to part with them, or to leave her pup on its own for a while.
Things seem to be looking up, but you could still perhaps move her food close to where her basket is, so that she doesn't fret about leaving the little one when she has to feed. I'm sure that in her own time, she'll get back to normal, but meanwhile, visit her frequently and speak in soothing and encouraging tones. x

[lankeela]

Just a thought, with only one to feed make sure she does not get mastitis if the pup is only feeding from one or two teats. She may end up with too much milk that is not being expressed. You could let your vet know and they may know of a litter that needs a foster mum.

Give a very small calcium supplement after about two weeks, to avoid eclampsia, although that is usually caused by the pups draining too much milk from her!

Hope Chubby Checker thrives (bet you are stuck with that name now).