A lot of times bloating occurs before death...in puppies and humans. Unless the mother has no instincts whatsoever, it is usually a sure sign something is wrong when she pushes a newborn away and tries to keep it "away" from her healthy ones. In the animal world, "only the strong survive". We as humans can take the weak and "make" them survive. However, we don't always win the battle and it is heartbreaking. We thought my Mom's little Yorkie infant was doing a little better...he looked fuller....he died shortly afterward. It is so extremely important not to let the female jump in her last few weeks of pregnancy. The placentas can become loosened or detached. I keep an extreme (on top of extreme) close eye on them during these last few weeks...no jumping...no rough houseing. I am so sorry to hear of the losses that occurred.
