How to Tell if Your Dog Has Passed All Placentas and What to Do
Generally, a dog will have one placenta for each puppy they deliver, so as a pet owner, it’s crucial to observe your dog closely during and after whelping. If your dog fails to expel all of the placentas, it's important to take them to a veterinarian for prompt treatment, often involving an oxytocin injection. Initially, during the birthing process, each puppy is typically followed by its corresponding placenta. Observing your dog throughout the entire process is key. If a placenta is retained, you might observe continued straining behaviors and vaginal discharge. A definitive way to determine this is by taking your dog to the vet for an abdominal ultrasound to confirm the presence of any retained placentas or puppies within the uterus. If a retained placenta is detected, the vet will typically administer oxytocin to encourage its expulsion. If the retained placental fragment is small, an injection of oxytocin may be sufficient to help the dog pass it. Simultaneously, an antibiotic...