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My dog had dark green discharge after birth. Is a puppy stuck inside?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 3 months old | 15 lbs

Hello, I have a mom dog who gave birth yesterday morning for very first yesterday around 9:00 a.m. She released dark green discharge before having her 7th. pup. It is during her having her 7th. pup that when she at the umbilical I could not tell if it actually was the umbilical cord or another pup that was in a sac. Question: Could it have been another pup? If so is it possible for it's head to which looked like it was in the sac to go back into the mom dog?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Stacey Anstaett, DVM

Answered By Stacey Anstaett, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 1st, 2019

That's extremely unlikely. A placenta should be delivered for each individual puppy, so the sac and placentas should all have been delivered. It can be difficult to count unless you are closely monitoring during delivery, as she will eat some of the placentas. If she seems to be doing well since she gave birth--all the puppies are nursing, she is eating, she doesn't seem painful or distressed--then I wouldn't worry.
Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
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