Pomeranian care after birth and signs of complications

Judge recovery by the mother's condition

After delivery, uterine contraction and milk production continue. Watch a Pomeranian's appetite, drinking, urination, movement, rest and response to her puppies. Compare behaviour with her usual self.

Tiredness after birth should not automatically explain every deterioration. Inability to stand, loss of consciousness, difficult breathing at rest or heavy bleeding require emergency help. A scheduled postnatal examination is not a reason to wait for the appointment when concerning new signs develop.

Discharge: amount, smell and change matter

Postnatal discharge is called lochia. It should decrease over time; increasing amounts or a foul smell warrant examination. Colour alone cannot reliably distinguish normal uterine recovery from disease.

Use clean, light bedding to see changes. Remember that thorough grooming may hide discharge. Do not insert antiseptics into the vagina or attempt to flush the uterus. Unusually persistent bleeding deserves examination even when she seems well: different causes require different treatment.

[3] Merck — Metritis in Small Animals

Metritis affects more than the uterus

Metritis is uterine infection. Signs can include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, reduced milk production and reduced maternal care. Retained tissue or a fetus and traumatic assistance during birth are among the risk factors.

Changed discharge combined with systemic illness is particularly concerning. Laboratory tests and imaging may be needed. Treatment depends on severity and sometimes includes surgery. Do not copy another mother's treatment: cause, disease extent and nursing safety can differ. Report difficult delivery, manual assistance or a caesarean, even if those events seemed resolved.

[3] Merck — Metritis in Small Animals · [5] Wiebe and Howard — Pharmacologic Advances in Canine and Feline Reproduction

Recognising mastitis

Mastitis is inflammation of a mammary gland. Pain, firmness, heat and changes in skin or milk are concerning. Sometimes poor puppy weight gain is the first visible problem while the mother still appears relatively well.

Look at both rows of glands while she is comfortable, without forceful squeezing. Comparing matching areas can help you notice a new local change. Normal looking milk does not rule out disease. Redness progressing to dark tissue, marked pain or deterioration requires urgent examination. Do not apply heat or begin vigorous milk expression without instructions: a home procedure cannot establish the cause.

[2] Merck — Mastitis in Small Animals · [4] VCA — Mastitis in Dogs

When milk seems insufficient

Low milk production can accompany maternal pain, stress, dehydration or illness. The amount expressed by hand is a poor answer to how much milk the puppies actually receive.

Consider nursing, behaviour and each puppy's weight trend together. If several puppies latch but stop gaining, both mother and litter need assessment. If only one struggles, assessment is still needed, but overall milk supply may not explain it. Do not keep increasing the mother's food indefinitely or add several milk promoting products together. Supplementary feeding should follow assessment of the puppy, its temperature and ability to suck safely.

[1] Merck — Periparturient Problems in Bitches and Queens

Hygiene and nursing during treatment

Clean, dry bedding and gradual weaning help reduce conditions associated with inflammation; abruptly stopping nursing can cause milk accumulation.

With diagnosed mastitis, the vet decides whether puppies can nurse from a particular gland. The decision depends on the gland, medicines and puppy health. Clarify which puppies need temporary separation, what they will eat and when progress will be reviewed. Every medicine prescribed to the mother should be considered in the context of lactation. Do not give human painkillers or leftover antibiotics. Maternal treatment and litter feeding need one practical plan, including overnight feeds when required.

[4] VCA — Mastitis in Dogs · [5] Wiebe and Howard — Pharmacologic Advances in Canine and Feline Reproduction

When another examination is needed

Seek further help for increasing weakness, refusal of water, repeated vomiting, a growing painful gland, foul discharge or deteriorating puppies. Tremors, stiffness or seizures in a nursing mother require emergency assessment, including consideration of eclampsia.

After treatment starts, review more than the appearance of discharge or a gland. Appetite, comfortable rest and maternal care should also be considered. Improvement in one observation does not cancel other symptoms. Agree the duration and stopping point of treatment with the vet, even if your Pomeranian looks lively again.

[1] Merck — Periparturient Problems in Bitches and Queens