Content
- Changes in the dog's body during pregnancy
- Is it normal for a bitch to bleed soon after giving birth?
- How long does the bitch bleed after giving birth?
- My bitch is bleeding two months after giving birth, is that normal?
During the process of gestation, birth and creation, there are countless changes that the bitch's body faces in order to give birth to her puppies. It is, therefore, a stage that requires special care to ensure the maintenance of the health of the mother and, also, the babies. That is why in this PeritoAnimal article we will discuss whether it is normal for our bitch to bleed after birth or not, as it is one of the usual doubts of caregivers.
Changes in the dog's body during pregnancy
Before explaining whether it is normal for a dog to bleed after giving birth, we should know what happens to her body during this period. The bitch's uterus is Y-shaped with a uterine horn on each side where the puppies will be housed. So the first noticeable change will be an increase in the size of the uterus, which will gradually expand as the pups grow. In addition, the uterus will concentrate a more blood to keep fetuses nourished and ensure your well-being. Sometimes natural childbirth is not possible and we are facing a cesarean or an unwanted conception. For this reason, a uterine surgery, such as an ovariohysterectomy, may have bleeding as one of the complications to be considered. Another important change occurs in the breasts, which darken and enlarge in preparation for breastfeeding. All these changes are induced by hormones.
Is it normal for a bitch to bleed soon after giving birth?
During childbirth, which occurs around 63 days of gestation, the uterus contracts to expel the offspring to the outside. Each of them is wrapped in a bag full of amniotic fluid and stuck to placenta fur umbilical cord. To be born, the placenta must be separated from the uterus. Sometimes the pouch breaks before the baby comes out, but it is common for the baby to be born with the pouch intact and it will be the mother who breaks it with her teeth. She will also bite the umbilical cord and usually eat the remains. THE separation of the placentas from the uterus produces a wound, which explains why it is normal for a bitch to bleed after birth. So if your dog gave birth and bleeds, you should know that this is a normal situation.
How long does the bitch bleed after giving birth?
As we have seen, postpartum bleeding in the bitch is normal. these bleeds are called lochia and can last for several weeks., although we notice that it decreases in quantity and the color changes, ranging from the red of fresh blood to more pink and brown tones, corresponding to the already dried blood. In addition, the uterus progressively shrinks until it reaches its pre-pregnancy size. This involution process lasts about 4 to 6 weeksTherefore, it is normal for the bitch to continue to bleed after one month of birth.
In the next section, we'll see when these lochia can be of concern. We recommend changing the bitch's bed after delivery to avoid infections. We can use sanitary napkins that are very easy to remove and renew and have a waterproof part that helps keep your nest dry and warm.
My bitch is bleeding two months after giving birth, is that normal?
As already mentioned, it is normal for a bitch to bleed after giving birth, however, we should note that this bleeding occurs as explained, otherwise it can indicate serious problems that should be treated by a veterinarian. Among these problems, the following stand out:
- Subinvolution of placental sites: if we observe that the lochia extend for a long period, we could be facing this condition, which occurs because the uterus cannot complete the involution process. Bleeding, even if it is not very heavy, can cause our dog to have anemia. It can be diagnosed by palpation or ultrasound.
- metritis: is a uterine infection that can be caused by an increase in bacteria when the cervix is open, by placental retention, or by mummification of a fetus. The lochia will have quite a bad smell and the dog will be out of spirit, will have a fever, will not eat or take care of the puppies, in addition, vomiting and diarrhea can occur. It is diagnosed by palpation or ultrasound and requires immediate veterinary assistance.
Thus, if you observe that the bitch is still bleeding two months after giving birth, it will be necessary look for the veterinarian to examine it and see which of the problems we have encountered, among those mentioned above, because it is generally not a normal situation. In addition, we recommend consulting the following article to give the new mother and her puppies the best care: "Care for Newborn Puppies".
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.