Is brown discharge normal for a dog 8 days after having puppies?

Hello. This is a normal discharge called lochia. It is the remains of the uterine lining being expelled & this may continue for up to 12 weeks after a bitch gives birth. As long as it does worsen or contains signs of bright red blood, then this is a normal part of the whelping process. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Yes, it is common to see slight discharge for several weeks after whelping. Monitor for lethargy, fever, loss of appetite or heavy discharge. Seek veterinary attention if you notice any of the listed symptoms.

After the delivery, your dog may leak fluids and discharge for several weeks. This discharge is called lochia, and its color may be a shade of red. Lochia should be odorless -- if it has an unpleasant smell, contact your vet, as an odor indicates infection. Otherwise, general intermittent bleeding around the vulva may continue for weeks or, in some cases, months. If you notice that your dog is actually still bleeding a few days after birth, contact your vet. While it may be normal, you need to rule out complications like postpartum hemorrhage, which can result from poor blood clotting.

My main recommendation is to check her temperature to make sure she does not have a fever (over 102.5). While it is normal for the temperature to rise for the first 24 hours after whelping, by now it should return to normal. If she does have a fever or the vaginal discharge has a foul smell, is increasing in volume, or she seems to be feeling any worse, then take her to the veterinarian. If you have a house call veterinarian in your area, that would be even better. Infection of the uterus, or metritis, is possible and should be taken seriously. At two days post-whelping, a reddish brown discharge is normal. If she has no fever and seems to be feeling better, then just make sure she has plenty to eat and lots of fresh water. Here is a link to a good article on nutrition. http://www.akc.org/content/dog-breeding/articles/the-care-and-feeding-of-the-breeding-bitch-part-two/ Thanks for using PetCoach.

Make sure she has water close by and see if she'll eat a biscuit. Often new mothers take a day or two to get their appetite back. Give her another day or so then if she still won't eat or drink then take her in. As far as the discharge goes it can be there for up to a week or so. If she stops nursing or the discharge has a foul odor then again I would bring her in for an exam. They may take an X-ray to make sure there are no more puppies and perhaps give her medication to contract the uterus to get rid of any fluid or afterbirth. I'm not overly concerned and think she just may need another day to improve. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Eris.

Yes, dogs can normally have a dark discharge known as lochia for a few days after giving birth. It should turn green shortly after whelping, and then turn to a rust color 48 hours post-partum. This discharge should not have any odor, and Nagai should not show any signs of illness. If the discharge persists in a black color, has an odor, or she shows signs of illness, she will need to see a vet immediately.

It could be normal discharge. I would not be concerned about it if she is still acting normal and eating and drinking ok. We only get alarmed if we see green or black discharge (which could indicate placental rupture). Here is more information on other things to watch out for that could indicate she is having complications of her pregnancy. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=678&S=0&EVetID=0 Continue to monitor her and expect her to go into labor around day 65, but it can occur anywhere between 58-72 days gestation. Best wishes and take care.