Seita Posted December 25, 2014 Share Posted December 25, 2014 My bitch had a litter of 8 on Sunday morning, very healthy puppies all are doing really well. Since they were born though I've noticed that she's had a pretty high temperature (over 39 degrees constantly), other than the temperature she's been eating and drinking well, being a really good mother and everything else seems pretty much textbook. Yesterday I took her to my usual vet because this high temperature was starting to worry me. Vet gave her oxytocin and an antibiotic injection and said if she doesn't improve take her to the emergency vet because of course today is Christmas Day! She had some darker red discharge which was thicker and smelly yesterday afternoon after the shots but her temperature has stayed up. This morning it was still high so I took her to the emergency vet who after consulting with a reproduction specialist vet over the phone decided that it could be either Metritis, Mastitis or Eclampsia... all of which the repo vet usually starts out treating with surgical fluid administered over 4-5 hours, calcium injection and antibiotics. So that's what we did. Her calcium level was normal, her boobs feel normal and a swab of her discharge showed no abnormal levels of bacteria. Her temperature still has not come down and I'm wondering if it's all been a great big waste of time and money? Has anyone had anything similar happen or any ideas on what it could be? I'll be continuing to take her temperature and watch her and I guess I may never know what it was... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted December 25, 2014 Share Posted December 25, 2014 (edited) I have found that when the milk is coming in (2-4 days after birth) it is not at all unusual to have high temperatures. The bitchs are generally well within themselves but often pant heavily and have a temperature. I pay more attention to how the bitch is behaving and any discharge she has. Edited December 25, 2014 by cowanbree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjelkier Posted December 25, 2014 Share Posted December 25, 2014 My bitch whelped on Sun and she had a temp of 39 for a few days as well. Absolutely no other issues at all, wonderful mother and she's now back down to her usual 38. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seita Posted December 25, 2014 Author Share Posted December 25, 2014 I know it's normal for the temp to be up after whelping but the last 2 days it's been up above 39.5 which is why I think there might be something else wrong. Her temp is still 39.4 several hours after I brought her home from the vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 (edited) No sure why you are worried as Normal average rectal temps for a dog is 38 but the range of normal without a problem are between 37.9 and 39.2 - No problem. If this were my dog I would not be concerned. http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/appendixes/reference_guides/normal_rectal_temperature_ranges.html Edited December 26, 2014 by Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seita Posted December 26, 2014 Author Share Posted December 26, 2014 thanks for that info Steve... I'm still learning (this is only my 3rd litter) and all the guides I've read say that temps over 39.5 are a concern which is why I took her to the vet in the first place. My usual vet and the emergency vet both agreed that the temp was a concern but neither are overly experienced with breeding. I guess I can chalk it up to experience... an expensive experience at that :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridgie_cat Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 (edited) 39.3 is the upper end of normal. I would be worried about 39.5+ too? although normal behaviour etc is a good sign. endometritis and mastitis being the big ones to watch for….. did the vets give you antibiotics or are you just monitoring for now? edit typo Edited December 26, 2014 by bridgie_cat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 I wouldn't necessarily be concerned about the temp on it's own - it would depend on whether or not the bitch had other things going on. How are you keeping the litter - if she's in a whelping box with nice thick vet bed, in a confined space with limited airflow even if she's not panting and looking "too hot" she may actually be just a bit too warm. It's been very humid & warm here (west of Brissie) for about ten days, so if it's the same where you are she's going to get warm just being in the whelping box instead of spread out on the tiles in the air con :) Hope she continues to be fine and all the best with the pups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seita Posted December 27, 2014 Author Share Posted December 27, 2014 she has access to tiles and the a/c is on when it's hot. She did seem a little out of sorts until yesterday but her temperature finally started to come down last night and today it's down to 38.8. She is on antibiotics and I'm keeping a close eye on her behaviour and temperature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asalei Posted December 27, 2014 Share Posted December 27, 2014 Glad to hear she's coming down. That sounds like a Phil Thomas diagnosis ;) I've just been through Black mastitis and eclampsia with my bitch when her puppies were 4 weeks old. We nearly lost her. Babies are now 7.5 weeks and she's recovered and healed well. I don't think eclampsia was the issue and they were treating her for that, when it was the mastitis that was the issue. But anyway. She pulled through after 6 days in ICU thanks in the end to Phil and his team at Pet Emergency/QVS. I hope she continues to improve for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seita Posted December 27, 2014 Author Share Posted December 27, 2014 Asalei, yes it was Phil Thomas' diagnosis :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedsur Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 My vet has always said that nursing mothers always run a higher temperature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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