Picking Your Brains

[Joanna]

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Right all you experienced breeders and generally knowledgable people. A friend of mine is doing a course which covers all aspects of dogs from breeding to anatomy and behaviour as a foundation for a degree. Her latest assignment is to explain why several days after whelping, some bitches reject the pups.

We thought it could be;

• Post partum infection
  Hormone change as happens with post-natal depression
  Mastitis
  Over-handling of pups by humans
  

How are we doing and are there any other reasons you can think of or experiences that you can share?

 

[Judy]

Interesting.

I have heard of puppies being rejected because of something being wrong with the puppy itself eg a deformity of some kind.

 

[Mark Roberts]

I agree Judy

in nature a bitch often knows if there is a fault with her pup and so will leave it to die (or try to if the breeder left her too it)

 

[Rob Rixon]

I have limited experience of a bitch rejecting some of a litter - only to find out there was some thing wrong with the pups rejected, later.

Never had a whole litter rejected.

 

[Joanna]

Thanks every-one, got this from Sarah today so thought I would pass it on.

Hi Jo,

Thanks for the answers to the dog question I asked you. I thought you

would all like to know that I got an A- for the question, with the

answer being that they may have an infection, Mastitis, Eclampsia, Milk

fever, a retained pup, retained afterbirth, or no milk (so you and you

friends were right)

 

If I need any help in the future I know who to ask.

 

Thanks again

Sarah