Accepted Answer

Hi Midwoof (very cute! : )),

Thank goodness the dog decided to have her puppies at your place, and you were able to help, when the first puppy was breach!

It's not unusual for the dam to spot for a few weeks after delivery, but I agree with you completely, that if she is thin, yet eating well, she should be evaluated by a vet, in person, to find the cause. Blood work will help determine if she is anemic, and/or has any other health problems.

Some people are just not meant to be pet owners, and sadly, your neighbors seem to fall into this category. If you're home most of the time and they want to leave the dam and her pups alone in their place for so many hours a day, especially when everything may not be alright with her health, you can gently suggest that if they don't have the time, you'd be happy to take her to the vet for an exam, and also feel it's better that she is monitored, since the pups are so young. After she's seen by the vet, if the official 'report' shows she's experiencing a health problem and needs treatment, etc., you can offer this as another reason she should not be left alone all day, and get the vet to say s/he agrees. Perhaps if it's the 'vet's instructions' that she is monitored, they won't quibble with it.

If the dam is not eating a quality puppy food, she should be, while she's nursing. This may be an explanation for her looking thin, if the puppies are 'taking' from her, and she's not getting enough calories to sustain both herself and her babies.

I hope you're able to offer these suggestions to your neighbor and they decide to do what's best for their dog and her puppies.

Cher

Expert:	Cher
Pos. Feedback:	99.5 %
Accepts:
Answered:	11/5/2009

Dog Caregiver--Extensive Experience

Extensive Experience Caring for Canines; Specializing in behavior and health concerns.