Retained puppies, also known as retained fetuses, refers to when a puppy or multiple puppies from a litter are not birthed successfully during labor and delivery. This can occur because the puppy becomes stuck in the birth canal or the uterus does not fully contract to expel all puppies.
Retained puppies is an uncommon but serious concern in pregnant dogs. It can lead to infection, uterine rupture, or even death of the mother dog if not treated promptly. Even with treatment, there are risks of complications for the bitch’s health and future pregnancies.
It’s important for breeders and owners to monitor pregnant dogs closely, especially during whelping, to identify retained puppies early and get veterinary help. Understanding the causes, signs, treatment, and prevention of retained puppies can improve outcomes.
Causes of Retained Puppies
There are several potential causes for a dog retaining one or more puppies after giving birth. Some of the most common include:
Uterine Infections: Bacterial infections like metritis or pyometra can cause inflammation and interfere with the uterus’s ability to contract properly, leading to retained puppies. This is a common cause if the bitch had a vaginal discharge before labor.
Uterine Inertia: Also known as uterine atony, this is when the uterus fails to contract adequately during labor. This prevents the placentas from detaching and being expelled normally after each puppy is born. According to Wag Walking, uterine inertia is the most common cause of retained placentas.
Large Litters: When a dog gives birth to a very large litter, the uterus may not contract as efficiently due to being overstretched. This makes it more likely that some placentas will be retained.
Poor Muscular Tone: Older dogs or dogs who are weak or obese may simply lack the muscular tone needed for the uterus to contract properly during labor. This increases the risk of placental retention.
Premature Separation: Sometimes the placenta starts separating from the uterine wall before the puppy is born. This causes bleeding and can prevent proper placental detachment later.
Hormonal Problems: Insufficient levels of the hormones estrogen and oxytocin can impair uterine contractions. This may happen if labor was induced or an emergency C-section was performed.
Birth Defects: Uterine or placental abnormalities may prevent normal placental separation after birth. Certain infections during pregnancy can also damage the placenta.
Signs of Retained Puppies
Some of the most common signs that a dog has retained puppies or placentas after giving birth include:
Continued abdominal enlargement – The mother’s belly may still look enlarged, instead of going back to normal size, indicating retained tissue.
Lack of interest in puppies – A mother who ignores or refuses to nurse her puppies may be experiencing discomfort from retained placentas.
Excessive vaginal discharge – A bloody, dark red, greenish or black discharge persisting more than a few days after birthing can signify retained placentas [1].
Fever – An elevated temperature in the mother dog can develop from an infection caused by decaying retained tissue [2].
Signs of systemic illness – Lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite can occur if a serious infection arises from the retained tissue.
Excessive urination and drinking – This may indicate an infection or inflammation from the retained placentas.
Abnormal odor – A foul and abnormal odor from the vulva can signify retained decaying tissue and infection.
Depression – Some mother dogs experiencing discomfort from retained tissue may become depressed, reclusive and reluctant to nurse.
Dangers of Retained Puppies
Retained puppies or placental tissue can pose serious health risks to the mother dog. The three main dangers are infection, uterine rupture, and toxicity.
Infection, known as metritis or pyometra, is perhaps the most common and serious risk of retained tissue in the uterus. Bacteria can quickly multiply in theuterus leading to a potentially life-threatening infection. According to PetMD, metritis occurs in up to 25% of dogs with a retained placenta if left untreated. Symptoms of uterine infection include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
The expanding uterus during pregnancy followed by retained tissue can also weaken the uterine wall and increase the risk of rupture. A uterine rupture leads to severe hemorrhaging and requires emergency surgical intervention.
Finally, the decaying retained tissue can release toxins into the mother dog’s bloodstream. This toxemia can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and even seizures or coma in severe cases according to WagWalking. Toxicity from retained tissue tends to occur 3-10 days after birth.
Diagnosing Retained Puppies
If a dog has given birth recently but continues to show signs of labor, retained puppies should be suspected. There are several ways vets can check for retained puppies:
Palpation – The vet will feel the mother’s abdomen to try to locate any retained puppies. The size, shape, and location of anything felt can help determine if there are any puppies left inside.[1]
Ultrasound – An ultrasound allows the vet to visualize the contents of the uterus and identify any remaining tissue or puppies. It is a non-invasive and effective diagnostic tool.[2]
X-rays – Radiographs can also reveal retained tissue and fetal skeletons. However, x-rays expose the mother to radiation and are not always necessary if an ultrasound is conclusive.[1]
These diagnostic techniques along with the bitch’s clinical signs will allow the vet to determine if there are any retained puppies that need to be removed.
[1] https://wagwalking.com/condition/retained-afterbirth
[2] https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/reproductive/c_dg_retained_placenta_afterbirth
Treating Retained Puppies
If a bitch has one or more retained puppies, the veterinarian will first administer oxytocin injections to stimulate uterine contractions to expel the fetus(es). Oxytocin forces the uterus to contract and may expel the retained puppy(ies) within 2-12 hours. Calcium may also be administered, as calcium is essential for proper uterine contractions.
If oxytocin treatment fails, prostaglandin injections may be given instead. Prostaglandins act on the smooth muscles of the uterus to contract the organ and expel its contents. This is usually effective within 12-24 hours.
If medical management with oxytocin and prostaglandins is unsuccessful, surgery to manually remove the retained puppy(ies) and afterbirth from the uterus may be necessary. The procedure is called an ovariohysterectomy or ‘spay.’ The veterinarian surgically removes the ovaries and uterus by making an incision in the abdomen. This surgery ensures that no fetal or placental material is left behind, reducing the risk of infection.
According to PetMD, surgery may be recommended after just 12-24 hours if the bitch shows signs of systemic illness or there are still noticeable fetuses on abdominal palpation or ultrasound. Surgery reduces the risk of sepsis and other complications from retained tissue in the uterus.
Caring for the Bitch Afterward
It is important to provide proper postpartum care for the bitch after she gives birth, even if there are no obvious complications. The most critical areas to focus on are providing antibiotics, fluids, and nutritional support.
The birthing process is stressful on the bitch’s body and depletes her of nutrients, so she will need to rebuild her strength. Antibiotics are commonly prescribed after birth to prevent infection in the uterus (source: https://www.highlandpethospital.net/breeders-info/neonatal-puppy-care/puppy-care/). IV fluids help restore electrolyte balance and prevent dehydration. The bitch should be encouraged to drink water frequently and can also be given oral rehydration supplements.
High calorie nutritional supplements, like puppy formula, can provide extra calories if the bitch is underweight after the pregnancy. Feed small, frequent meals rather than large meals to aid digestion. High quality proteins from meat, fish, or eggs also help rebuild muscle and strength. Continue supporting lactation by providing high calorie foods.
Monitor the bitch for signs of complications like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or fever which could indicate infection or milk fever. Seek prompt veterinary care if complications arise after birth. With proper aftercare, the bitch can fully recover and go on to have healthy future pregnancies.
Outcomes for Future Pregnancies
Generally, a bitch can still get pregnant and whelp another litter after experiencing retained puppies. However, there is an increased risk of it happening again in subsequent pregnancies. According to veterinary research, the recurrence rate of retained placenta is around 22-25% after an initial incident. This risk tends to be higher if there were issues during the pregnancy or delivery leading to the retained puppies.
Some breeders may opt to retire a bitch from breeding after she experiences retained puppies once. This eliminates the risk of it happening again and complications that could impact her health. It also reduces the chances of neonatal mortality in future litters. However, it’s ultimately up to the breeder after consulting with their vet.
If breeding again, the breeder and vet should take extra precautions to monitor the bitch throughout the pregnancy. Additional steps may be taken during delivery as well, such as calcium supplements to aid contractions or oxytocin to stimulate labor if needed. Close observation after birth is also advised to promptly identify any retained placentas. With proper management, many bitches go on to whelp healthy litters afterwards.
Sources:
https://wagwalking.com/condition/retained-afterbirth
https://www.quora.com/How-soon-after-having-puppies-could-a-female-dog-go-back-into-heat
Preventing Retained Puppies
There are some steps dog owners can take to help prevent retained puppies:
Proper vaccination and nutrition for the mother dog is important. Making sure she is up-to-date on vaccines like parvo and distemper and feeding her a high-quality diet can help avoid complications.
Allowing the mother dog to deliver puppies naturally without interference is also recommended. Stress and human intervention during the birthing process can potentially lead to retained placentas.
Having an experienced breeder or veterinarian present during the birth can help ensure any retained placentas are identified and dealt with quickly.
Monitoring the mother dog closely before, during, and after delivery and keeping accurate counts of puppies born and placentas passed can help identify a retained placenta early.
Ensuring the whelping area is disinfected and the mother dog has minimal stress during delivery can also help avoid retained placentas in dogs.
When to Seek Emergency Care
There are certain signs after giving birth that require immediate veterinary attention. According to https://wagwalking.com/condition/retained-afterbirth, if the mother dog exhibits signs of shock such as pale gums, abnormal bleeding from the vulva, or collapse, you should seek emergency veterinary care right away. Pale gums indicate anemia and low blood pressure, which can be life-threatening. Excessive bleeding also poses a major risk. Immediate veterinary treatment is required to stabilize the dog and address any underlying complications. Other emergency warning signs include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fever, or foul-smelling discharge, which may indicate a serious post-whelping infection or uterine toxicity from retained tissue. Do not hesitate to bring the dog to an emergency vet clinic at the first sign of any of these symptoms, as they can rapidly escalate to a life-threatening condition.
