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cesar49 · 07-10-2008, 07:00 PM

Breeding
Breeding and Observations of a New Dam

Published Friday, July 15, 2005

Now is the time your new dam needs your care the most, you must ensure she gets adequate nutrition and that she endures the stress of whelping and nursing her litter. Nursing dams need to eat a lot of high quality food and drink adequate amounts of fresh water in order to make milk for their pups. As the pups grow and demand more milk, she will need to eat and drink even more, usually two to three times her normal intake. She should eat as often as she wishes or be fed three to four times a day. Even then she will probably lose weight. Entice her with whatever it takes so that this does not happen, she should not ever drop below her ideal pre whelping weight.

Be vigilant for signs of infections. The new dam’s temperature should be taken daily for the first week or two. A temperature over 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit means a call to your veterinarian. High temperatures can also be a sign of eclampsia.

Eclampsia. Also known as puerperal tetany, eclampsia is a life-threatening disorder of calcium metabolism seen mostly in small breed dams that have whelped from one to four weeks earlier. Not every affected dam is small but the smaller the breed the better a chance of suffering from this problem. Nursing the pups depletes the dam’s calcium levels. Because calcium is vital for neural function, this depletion brings on sudden nervousness, shaking, panting, elevated temperature, whining, staggering, stiffness, and tremors. Left untreated, it can progress to collapse, seizures, and death. Eclampsia is a true emergency requiring veterinary attention. Treatment is with intravenous calcium and gradual cooling. Puppies should be removed from her and hand- raised.

Eclampsia is best prevented by feeding a balanced diet with a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of 1-to-1 to 1.2-to1. It is believed that calcium supplementation during pregnancy predisposes dams to eclampsia because the excessive calcium levels signal the bitch’s parathyroid glands, which regulate the body’s calcium levels to become inactive. Later, when the dam is nursing and needs more calcium, the parathyroid glands don’t respond as they should, allowing the drop in calcium. Although supplementing with calcium during pregnancy is inadvisable, supplementing during lactation may be beneficial.

Metritis. It is normal for the new dam to produce lochia, a greenish black or sometimes brown thick discharge, from her vulva for up to three weeks. However, the discharge should never be bright red, pus-like or odorous. That, along with a raised temperature and general signs of feeling poor, could signal metritis, an inflammation of the uterus. Because placentas or dead puppies can cause metritis, it a good idea to have a veterinary exam following whelping to ensure no puppies or placentas have been retained. Some breeders routinely give an oxytocin injection after the last puppy is born to “Clean out” the dam. However, because the suckling by the newborns naturally stimulates oxytocin secretion by the pituitary gland, the only time such injections are needed is when the dam can’t suckle her offspring. Metritus can also be the result of bacteria introduced into the uterus when the cervix is open during whelping. Left untreated the dam can become severely dehydrated or toxic and may go into shock and possible die.

Sub involution of Placental Sites. Normally, the uterine placental sites shrink and stop bleeding soon after whelping, returning completely to normal by two to three months postpartum. Sometimes one or more sites continue to bleed. This usually goes unnoticed until the dam quits producing lochia, at which time a red bloody discharge is noticed. In most cases, it doesn’t affect the dam’s heath or future breeding and the bleeding gradually dissipates by the nest estrus. In rare cases, the blood loss is life threatening and may require transfusion.

Mastitis. Mastitis, which is infection of one or more mammary glands, can also cause elevated temperatures and systemic illness. The dam may not allow her pups to nurse because it is too painful. Most acute cases occur within the first two weeks postpartum, although chronic cases can last much longer. Normally milk expressed from the glands at whelping is yellowish to white, turning white soon afterward. Mild from infected glands may look normal, or may be greenish-yellow or reddish-brown. When expressing the glands for inspection, you must use strict hygiene so that you don’t introduce bacteria into them. Infected glands are often hot to the touch and tender. Left untreated, affected glands can become abscessed or gangrenous. Depending on the age of the pups and the condition of the dam, it may be advisable to hand-rear them. Although their suckling does help drainage of the gland, antibiotics to treat her must be selected carefully so they do not harm the pups. It is also possible that the infectious agent could be passed on to the puppies. In chronic mastitis, the dam appears to feel fine, but the pups may not thrive. Examination of milk reveals high levels of white blood cells and bacteria. In these cases, the pups should be removed and hand-reared while the dam is being treated.

Galactostasis. Mastitis should not be confused with galactostasis, which is the engorgement of mammary glands because the pups have not sufficiently emptied them. This occurs in small litters or during weaning, especially if the pups are weaned abruptly.
This is one reason that pups should be weaned gradually. The affected glands may be hot and tender. Manually expressing the glands may provide temporary relief, but al stimulates further mild production. Cool compresses are another palliative measure. Reducing the dam’s food intake may decrease mild production. If no pups are nursing, medical treatments such as corticosteroids, diuretics and analgesics may be effective in reducing the inflammation, fullness and the pain.

Your first obligation is to attend to the welfare of the dam. Know the danger signs, and do not put off acting upon them. Remember, you got her into this and you are fully responsible for her welfare.

http://www.pamperedpaws.com/index.ph...egory=Breeding
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Kimberly yorkiepassion.com

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10-10-2005, 07:14 AM #3
YorkieRose
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Join Date: Jul 2004
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07-10-2008, 07:00 PM	#2
cesar49 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: eagles nest ohio Posts: 1,325 Blog Entries: 1	use search tool Breeding Breeding and Observations of a New Dam Published Friday, July 15, 2005 Now is the time your new dam needs your care the most, you must ensure she gets adequate nutrition and that she endures the stress of whelping and nursing her litter. Nursing dams need to eat a lot of high quality food and drink adequate amounts of fresh water in order to make milk for their pups. As the pups grow and demand more milk, she will need to eat and drink even more, usually two to three times her normal intake. She should eat as often as she wishes or be fed three to four times a day. Even then she will probably lose weight. Entice her with whatever it takes so that this does not happen, she should not ever drop below her ideal pre whelping weight. Be vigilant for signs of infections. The new dam’s temperature should be taken daily for the first week or two. A temperature over 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit means a call to your veterinarian. High temperatures can also be a sign of eclampsia. Eclampsia. Also known as puerperal tetany, eclampsia is a life-threatening disorder of calcium metabolism seen mostly in small breed dams that have whelped from one to four weeks earlier. Not every affected dam is small but the smaller the breed the better a chance of suffering from this problem. Nursing the pups depletes the dam’s calcium levels. Because calcium is vital for neural function, this depletion brings on sudden nervousness, shaking, panting, elevated temperature, whining, staggering, stiffness, and tremors. Left untreated, it can progress to collapse, seizures, and death. Eclampsia is a true emergency requiring veterinary attention. Treatment is with intravenous calcium and gradual cooling. Puppies should be removed from her and hand- raised. Eclampsia is best prevented by feeding a balanced diet with a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of 1-to-1 to 1.2-to1. It is believed that calcium supplementation during pregnancy predisposes dams to eclampsia because the excessive calcium levels signal the bitch’s parathyroid glands, which regulate the body’s calcium levels to become inactive. Later, when the dam is nursing and needs more calcium, the parathyroid glands don’t respond as they should, allowing the drop in calcium. Although supplementing with calcium during pregnancy is inadvisable, supplementing during lactation may be beneficial. Metritis. It is normal for the new dam to produce lochia, a greenish black or sometimes brown thick discharge, from her vulva for up to three weeks. However, the discharge should never be bright red, pus-like or odorous. That, along with a raised temperature and general signs of feeling poor, could signal metritis, an inflammation of the uterus. Because placentas or dead puppies can cause metritis, it a good idea to have a veterinary exam following whelping to ensure no puppies or placentas have been retained. Some breeders routinely give an oxytocin injection after the last puppy is born to “Clean out” the dam. However, because the suckling by the newborns naturally stimulates oxytocin secretion by the pituitary gland, the only time such injections are needed is when the dam can’t suckle her offspring. Metritus can also be the result of bacteria introduced into the uterus when the cervix is open during whelping. Left untreated the dam can become severely dehydrated or toxic and may go into shock and possible die. Sub involution of Placental Sites. Normally, the uterine placental sites shrink and stop bleeding soon after whelping, returning completely to normal by two to three months postpartum. Sometimes one or more sites continue to bleed. This usually goes unnoticed until the dam quits producing lochia, at which time a red bloody discharge is noticed. In most cases, it doesn’t affect the dam’s heath or future breeding and the bleeding gradually dissipates by the nest estrus. In rare cases, the blood loss is life threatening and may require transfusion. Mastitis. Mastitis, which is infection of one or more mammary glands, can also cause elevated temperatures and systemic illness. The dam may not allow her pups to nurse because it is too painful. Most acute cases occur within the first two weeks postpartum, although chronic cases can last much longer. Normally milk expressed from the glands at whelping is yellowish to white, turning white soon afterward. Mild from infected glands may look normal, or may be greenish-yellow or reddish-brown. When expressing the glands for inspection, you must use strict hygiene so that you don’t introduce bacteria into them. Infected glands are often hot to the touch and tender. Left untreated, affected glands can become abscessed or gangrenous. Depending on the age of the pups and the condition of the dam, it may be advisable to hand-rear them. Although their suckling does help drainage of the gland, antibiotics to treat her must be selected carefully so they do not harm the pups. It is also possible that the infectious agent could be passed on to the puppies. In chronic mastitis, the dam appears to feel fine, but the pups may not thrive. Examination of milk reveals high levels of white blood cells and bacteria. In these cases, the pups should be removed and hand-reared while the dam is being treated. Galactostasis. Mastitis should not be confused with galactostasis, which is the engorgement of mammary glands because the pups have not sufficiently emptied them. This occurs in small litters or during weaning, especially if the pups are weaned abruptly. This is one reason that pups should be weaned gradually. The affected glands may be hot and tender. Manually expressing the glands may provide temporary relief, but al stimulates further mild production. Cool compresses are another palliative measure. Reducing the dam’s food intake may decrease mild production. If no pups are nursing, medical treatments such as corticosteroids, diuretics and analgesics may be effective in reducing the inflammation, fullness and the pain. Your first obligation is to attend to the welfare of the dam. Know the danger signs, and do not put off acting upon them. Remember, you got her into this and you are fully responsible for her welfare. http://www.pamperedpaws.com/index.ph...egory=Breeding __________________ Kimberly yorkiepassion.com feminvstr View Public Profile Send a private message to feminvstr Visit feminvstr's homepage! Find More Posts by feminvstr Add feminvstr to Your Contacts 10-10-2005, 07:14 AM #3 YorkieRose YT 4000 Club Member Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 6,976 article __________________ Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs.