Nursing dog - rapid breathing & panting

Question
My 2 year old Springer spaniel had a litter of four pups five days ago. She is up to date on all vaccinations and worming tablets. This is her first litter.

I am concerned about her breathing whilst she is nursing the pups. It becomes very rapid at times but not all the time. Sometimes it also seems like she is in a trance like state. Her breathing becomes more and more rapid and sometimes develops into panting. When she leaves the pups to go to the toilet or for a walk she pants from the moment she leaves the room but seems happy otherwise. Her tail is wagging and she is keen to go although with a little hesitation at leaving the pups.

Since having the pups she has been eating, toileting, nursing and cleaning pups and exercising, all with no problems. I have been feeding her puppy food with a little fish or chicken and some cottage cheese which was recommended by vetinarian nurse as calcium supplement. She has been drinking plenty of water and always has a fresh supply. Her stools are firm and regular. She willingly goes for walks twice a day (as is her usual routine) an quickly returns to puppies as soon as we are home. The puppies are happy and content, eating and sleeping, twitching and noisy but not overly so. They are all putting on weight and get chubbier by the day. She cleans up after the pups very well and takes care of their stools. I change the bedding regularly. She is in a whelping box in an isolated room.

Everything apart from the breathing is as good as it should be. I have read up on symptoms of eclampsia in dogs and I realise this is one of the symptoms but she doesn't show any of the others. Should I still take her to the vet or is this perfectly normal?

Answer
It sounds like everything is normal here Emma. Panting isn't unusual for a bitch during lactation and even more so for a first time mother.

It's basically nerves and excitement that causes it. She will settle down more and more as the weeks go by.

In case you are worried, here is an article on milk fever or eclampsia:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2109&aid=1505

You can see by these symptoms that she really doesn't have any of them. If you are still worried, have the vet take a look at her or call them and ask. Let them know her symptoms, but they might want to see her as well.

Sounds like she is doing well. You are feeding her a good diet too. Make sure she gets all the puppy food that she wants at this point.

The fact that she is happy, going for walks and the puppies are doing so well is a sure sign that all is well.

Have fun with those babies!