Retained Placenta???
 

I know how dangerous it is, and I just want to be sure.

The last puppy was born without the sac, and it was very difficult to cut the cord, because it was so tight in the Uterus. I was able to stretch it just enough to cut it. A few minutes later, the Placenta started to come out, and there was about 1/2 a bubble coming out. I wasn't able to get it all the way out so I called the E.R. Vet and they said to just leave her be for about 20 min. Let her relax with her pups and it will come out on its own. So that is what I did. I left her in there with the pups and the placenta half way out. When we went back about 10 or 15 min. later, I checked and the placenta that was coming out was gone. I called the Vet again, and they assured me she must have eaten it.

She has been acting pretty normal, she wants to be hand fed while feeding her pups, and barks when she wants to go out. She is back to nursing and cleaning pups regularly, her temp is normal, so do you think I have any reason to be concerned. The pups are 9 days old today. If there was any infection, would there be obvious signs? Just wanted to know from you all what you thought. I got upset last night, because I just started thinking that I never actually SAW the last placenta on the floor. I called the ER Vet, and they again assured me that it could not have gone back in, and it had to have been expelled. Again, I just wanted to ask the experts! :rolleyes:

I would appreciate any feedback on this.

Thanks,

Audrey

If she had an infection from a retained placenta you would see an elevated temp/appetite change etc. by now..

I would never suggest to 'leave a whelping mom alone' for any time whatsoever to avoid these questions. Monitoring at the least is essential during whelping.

Thank you for your feedback. We were with her for the entire 4 hour whelping process. When the last puppy was born, and the last placenta was in her, I called the Vet to possibly bring her in because the last placenta was not coming out. They told me to allow her some time to relax with her pups and see if it is expelled on its own. They told me this will give her time to do what she needs to in cleaning the pups and relax a little without us in there.

Do you not leave them alone with the pups at all, not even when you are sure she has delivered the last pup? Or would you just have stayed in there until you knew for sure the last Placenta was delivered. We be no means left her alone while the pups were being born. We assisted her greatly in every aspect of that, as she was not albe to deliver them on her own at all.

Again I do appreciate your feedback and I am still learning so that is why I am asking questions to get a clear understanding.

Thanks,

Audrey

Nope, I don't leave them alone with the pups at all, especially if it is a first whelp for the mama or I am waiting on a placenta...I usually catch my first 2hr nap about 12 hrs after the whelp begins.

for future whelping have two hemostats available one to clamp the cord on the pup the other to clamp close to the vulva so you dont lose the placenta.

if you had an infection from the placenta is would have happened within the first 48-72 hours. If you havent accounted for all the placenta, when in doubt the vet can do an oxitocin injection to clean her out right after whelping dont wait more than 24 hours for this, an infection can come on fast.

OK, thank you for the information. So you clamp the placenta with the 2nd hemostat, and wait for her to push it out? Is it possible for the placenta to go back in? The pup was just barely out of the mom. The cord was very tight, and I waited for her to have another contraction to clamp the cord, but it wasn't happening and the pup was all the way out and hanging in my hands. So I waited and was able to get the cord to stretch just enough to cut the cord. Then I waited for the Placenta and I saw it bulge (like a bubble) from her. I called the E.R. Vet and they said to leave her alone and when she was relaxed, it would come out on its own. When i went back to check on her it was gone. I called the Vet again and they said she must have eaten it.

I agree, that I should have taken her for the injection. This all happened on Saturday and the ER Vet told me that I shouldn't bring her in there because of risk of sickness, and I should talk to my Vet on Monday about having them checked out. When I called the Vet Monday he asked how they were doing, adn I told him they were all fine and nursing and bonding. He said I could wait until friday to bring the pups in for tail docking and the dew claws. I asked about Mom and he said if she is doing fine, then he wouldn't disturb her.

Next time if there is any doubt, I will err on the side of caution and have him do the injection. Right? Is that what you would suggest?

yes if there is any doubt of a retained placenta have the oxitocin shot...infects can cause havoc and if left untreated can harm the health of the mom and the pups.

tails should be docked at 3-5 days Ive waited up to 8 days because the pups were very tiny. I read your other post about the tail docking PLEASE never leave newborn pups without their moms for 2 - 3 hours...find another vet if he can't accomodate you in a timely manor.

:thumbup:

check with lksdolls maybe. Her Reggie passed away 8 days after giving birth.

"Their mama died from what the vet thought was a uterine infection or afterbirth stuck in the birth canal."

Maybe she can tell you some of the symptoms Reggie had? I hope everything is ok and best wishes. :)

Mollie had to be spayed about 5-6 weeks after her litter. She started bleeding some not much. The vet thought that maybe she had retained some placenta. But, after they did the spay she said that her uterus did not shrink all the way back to it's normal size.

I hope that she is still doing ok.

So is there any way that could have been detected? Do yo always to the Oxytocin injection just to be safe to make sure nothing is left in the Mommy? And to shrink back the Uterus? Should I take her now to have the injection just in case/

I know I read about Reggie, and that is what REALLY got me thinking last night, and that is why I couldn't sleep and called the vet at 2 a.m.. I feel so bad for all she has been through!

Audrey

I was under the impression that lksdolls lost that girl due to eclampsia which is more likely in that time frame....but perhaps I am mistaken and missed info.

I would not do oxy now if she is not showing any signs of problem.

If she is acting OK? I wouldn't worry too much about it. Mollie never acted sick I just noticed when the pups for 4 - 6 weeks old that she was spotting some and a little swollen. If you are still concerned I would take her to the vet and insist that they give her the injection just to be on the safe side. Vets sould listen more to owners you know your dog better than anyone.

Wish I could be of more help.

Good luck and please keep us posted.