Is it normal for a dog to shiver and bleed after having puppies?

When puppies nurse, it releases oxytocin in the mother dog, which in turn causes uterine contractions. These uterine contractions can cause the blood to come out, and can cause her to shiver from pain. I'd have Ellie and her puppies seen by a vet on Monday to make sure everything is ok.

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.

This discharge may be normal, but it could also indicate infection. Ideally, Cocoa should be physically examined by your veterinarian to confirm all is well and the pups are doing fine. Monitor her for lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, excessive discharge or active bleeding.

Weakness and shaking can sometimes be a sign of nutrient/blood chemical problems, but shaking can also be a sign of nerves, cold, etc. If you do suspect an issue, bringing Sugar into the vet for an exam and blood work to check her values is best.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! In general, I’m not worried about anything I’m seeing or hearing. The vulva is completely expected for a dog in heat. A few minutes of shivering/trembling can happen for many reasons but the fact that she went right back to playing and eating normally makes me not too concerned. In terms of helping her through the next several days or week of her heat cycle, there is nothing special to do. As you can see, she is basically the same as she always is. Best of luck to you and Eclaire! (Great name by the way!)

Hello, congratulations on your new coming puppies. Its possible that she is beginning to have signs of initiating the first part of labor. During this time, their temperature may decrease and they may shiver. Keep an eye for any evidence of active contractions. If you are seeing contractions without production of a puppy that lasts longer then 2 hours, then she should be evaluated by her veterinarian immediately. If she seems lethargy, weak, and is not interested in food or water then she should be evaluated sooner. If she does deliver her puppies on her own, you may assist in cleanig the puppies and drying them so that they may begin to nurse shortly after birth. Hope this helps and best of luck.

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.