Bulldog bitch snarling at newborn pups
Submitted by Sewsparkly on May 1, 2014 - 5:27pmOur Bulldog bitch had her first litter of pups last Saturday delivered by C-section. She has shown very little interest in them...she was allowing them to nurse, but wouldn't lick them or snuggle with them. Last night and this morning she started growling when I put them with her to nurse and actually bared her teeth and snarled at them. I have had her to the vet to make sure there aren't any health issues, she was off her food but has started to eat "special" meals.
However, when I tried to introduce the pups to her, she began growling again. I have supplemented them with puppy replacement. she has milk, but doesn't appear to want anything to do with them.
Does anyone have any tips as to what I could try. She shows interest in that she wants to be in the room where they are, but at "arms length" so to speak.
Sorry, can't help.
I don't know much about breeding puppies. Have you discussed this with your vet?
bulldog not bonding with pups
Yes, we have had her to the vet to rule out any medical issues. He gave us a mild sedative to calm her if necessary. She was still being nasty so I gave her the sedative. So last night, when she started to growl, we held her collar, and told her no, and sat right beside her and stroked her while the puppies fed. At the midnight feeding, there was a smaller growl, correction, and they fed. The 4 am feeding ,, she just gave them a dirty look!!
and then she was looking for them after I removed them. So hopefully she is coming around.
During the day today, I'll try to stay around with her so she can bond with the pups and maybe start licking and cleaning them. Once the sedative is worn off,(which it should be by now) hopefully, she will figure out this being a Mama thing!!
This is quite the learning curve with bulldogs. Wish me luck.
Will the
sedative affect the puppies???? My breeder had a situation just like this. Her Mom tried to snap at the pups, She wanted the pups to nurse, so she actually had to kneel/sit over her, so her head was in front of her and the pups could nurse behind her - they she would keep them separated... Some moms just want nothing to do with the pups (sad). Wow they are hard enough to take care of when they are first born, adding this to the mix really stinks.... Good luck, let us know how you make out....
will the
The vet assues me the sedative will not affect the pups. I gave her one and she was pretty dopey for a whole day, but at least we were able to get the pups nursing again. Cooked up a special meal for her and she finally started eating again, still not drinking as much as I would like her to, but will drink some water with a lot of coaxing. She has now come back around to about where she was before she decided to be nasty, she lets the pups nurse and shows interested in them, sniffs them, but still won't clean or lick them. We do sit right with her all the time she has the pups with her She does show signs of trying to be careful not to squish or step on them. Poor Stella, I think she was just a little overwhelmed and cranky from all that she was been through. Keeping my fingers crossed that she is now heading in the right direction.
And yes, they are a lot of work, but so worth it, they are just adorable and I'm enjoying every minute with them...sleep deprivation aside!
Thanks for your tips and your concern.
This can be typical
When a C-section is done there is no maternal instinct as in a natural birth. They have no idea they have puppies. They wake up from a surgery and have these little guys thrust upon them, it can be very overwhelming.
Some bitches will never clean, so you will have to provide the stimulation for the puppies to pee and poo.
Do you have a mentor? They are helpful in these situations.
Also, some bitches just are not good mothers.
Deb is the best to ask.
She knows her Bulldogs. I know she can help.
Karonelaine