pregnant boxer

Question
Hi my name is Tonya and I have a 3 year old fawn female. We also have a 2 year old male white boxer.  I know that my female is pregnant as she has milk.  We have been wanting to try to breed her for awhile now.  She has only been pregnant one other time.  With the first one we did not know till she was in labor that she was.  She was only carrying one pup.  We took her to the vet and the vet told us that she was just having a false pregnancy and to just watch her.  So for the next 2 days I watched her love on and clean on of the kids stuffed toys and then she screamed in the middle of the night and gave birth to a still born puppy.  Now I know she is pregnant again, but she is not very big and only has about 3 breasts filled with milk.  I know that she has to again only be carrying 1 or 2 puppies.  What should I do to prevent her from having a repeat of the previous birth?  We love her very much she even sleeps with my kids. Also why is she only getting pregnant with so few puppies?  I know that most boxers have large litters and you have to be there to help with the deliveries so as to prevent problems with them. Thank you for your help with this situation.

Answer
Sometimes thyroid problems can cause infertility, miscarriages, and if conception, low number of pups. There can be problems with carrying puppies and in deliveries.

However, that may or may not, be the problem.

Some dogs, just as people, cannot carry and deliver well.

Take her to a GOOD vet, x-ray or sonar her for a puppy count and complete check-up to be sure they are healthy.

You might consider a c-section for delivery instead of normal whelping.

Her diet during her pregnancy (usually 58-63 days) is critical. Puppy food during pregnancy and nursing is critical- which is high protein.

Talk to your vet, get prepared, learn all you should know about pregnancy, whelping, and caring for newborn puppies.

All this knowledge and preparation is critical to the life of your dog and her pups.