Sonic Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 My bitch has 4 day old pups and is being a great mum but has just started digging up the vet bed to make herself comfortable. The pups are getting caught up in it and I'm worried they will not be able to get to her to feed or will get smothered in the fabric. I am checking them regularly to make sure everything is OK but am worried as I will have to leave them tomorrow to go to work. Any suggestions anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mini girl Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 Seems its not uncommon - one of my girls did this - had to put down a piece of carpet secured so as she did not bury the pups - I put it onto the forum myself here is the link - http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/214506-shredding-the-welping-box/page__p__5127461__hl__%2Bdigging+%2Bbed__fromsearch__1#entry5127461 Were quite a few answers - she did get past it as they got a bit bigger but a bit of a worry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonic Posted October 9, 2011 Author Share Posted October 9, 2011 Thanks Mini Girl. There's quite a few suggestions there, not sure which to try first! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 They dig because the uterus is still contracting back to normal size and in some bitches it causes cramp like pain. The remedy is buscopan tablets to stop the cramping pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 My bitch did this too, although I didn't have to go to work, so was able to supervise them 24/7....she stopped doing it in about a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonic Posted October 9, 2011 Author Share Posted October 9, 2011 (edited) They dig because the uterus is still contracting back to normal size and in some bitches it causes cramp like pain. The remedy is buscopan tablets to stop the cramping pain. That makes sense Dancinbcs. This girl has never been one to dig up her bedding so it seemed odd. I have cut up an offcut of the vet bed into smaller rectangles so that the pups will still have somewhere warm to lie but the pieces are too small for them to get caught up in. I can give them the full size vet bed when I'm home to supervise but for the moment I'm seeing how they go with the smaller pieces and so far it seems to be OK. I also took the advice about the calcium as my vet had also said something about needing calcium. If it doesn't settle down quickly I will try the buscopan. Edited October 9, 2011 by Sonic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjazld Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 i didnt know dogs could have buscopan....makes sense for the cramps though as its a smooth muscle relaxant. what is the dose, human strength comes in 10mg and 20mg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 I had a bitch do the same, a shot of Oxy fixed her up. She expelled a lot of left over muck and was as good as gold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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