Fever and a little discharge after giving birth.

[billybrun]

My 20 month old female gave birth 18 days ago. Since then she's had this thick and dark discharges at first, but was acting ok. About week one, she started to slow down an not eat right and had a temperature of 104.8. The vet gave her some pills and told me keep the puppies away for a week during the treatment.

At first, the fever went away an she started to act normal, but now she's back with the fever of 104.8. The vet said she could've had a small infection, but why did she get better and now that the pills are over, she's back with the fever?

Any help would be appreciated.

[AngelBunny]

I think you should get your bitch into an emergency vet's office asap. She might have an infection that will kill her. Normal dog's rectal temperatures are 100.5 to 102.5 degrees F.

[Terri Lambert]

I agree with Angel Bunny. Also why did your 20 month old bitch give birth to a litter of puppies she is awfully young herself. Was there a x-ray done after birthing to make sure their is no puppies left in her, get her to a vet ASAP. And yes her temp is quite elevated at 104.8. And I wouldn't think it would be a little infection, I think you may have a bigger problem than that.

[frontierrots]

post whelping some bitches do tend to get slight infections and a 103-104 temp. The vets I deal with always prescribe amoxicillin and the pups stay on the bitch.

Your vet sounds like a moran and now too much time has passed, get her to an emergency vet ASAP

[Java Lover]

Please listen to what these experienced and caring people have said and get her to a
qualified emergency vet. Let us know how she is doing and I wish you the best. Hopefully, she will recover and then you will need to find a new regular vet for future
care.

[billybrun]

Thank you very much for the replies.
The temperature seemed a little lower I'll take her tomorrow first thing to her regular vet, and see what he says. I'm afraid she won't be able to breast feed anymore due to that week she didn't do it. The tits look and feel almost empty and the pups were loosing a little weight so I resumed bottle feeding them in between. Thanks again.

[targonrotts]

there can be a retained placenta, a retained puppy or a infection that can range from a small treatable with antibiotics to a large infection with possible damage to uterus which can result in an emergency spay.
i would get a second vet opinion, ask for bloodwork and xrays.
bottle feed the pups every 3-4 hours and when they turn about 25 days of age, start weaning them to mashed potato consistency puppy food. i usually soak dry puppy food in warm water or puppy milk until soft then mash it up and feed 4-5 times a day in shallow plates. introduce water too at that time in shallow plates.
pups should also be looked at soon to get first deworming.

normally after having puppies a bitch can have discharge thicker than her heat for anywhere from 3-8 weeks after having pups. it should not smell bad or have a fever with it. fever,not eating,lethargy and pus like discharge should be seen asap.

let us know how it turns out.

[Java Lover]

You had a lot of good advice about taking your bitch to an emergency vet or to another vet for a second opinion. You just wrote that you are going back to your regular vet. Sometimes people are afraid of switching doctors because they are concerned about what their original doctor might think (especially if you live in a small town). Please
consider getting a second opinion. My vet would have never dismissed your bitch without an x-ray. I hope everything works out for you!

[Terri Lambert]

I was just wondering how you made out with your bitch and the puppies. Also please after this litter is weaned please seriously think about having her spayed as she is only a baby herself and should not have to be this sick after having puppies. But please let us know what happened to your bitch when she went back to the vet.

[billybrun]

Well, her temperature was only 103 this morning at the vet. He gave her different antibiotics and blood work that we get back tomorrow. He thinks it's only a mirror infection that's common. She's a lot better now, hopefully tomorrow it'll be back to normal.

Thanks for all your advices, I really appreciate it.