poor appetite in pregnancy week 3-4

Question
QUESTION: hello,i am hoping for a bit of advice,my 2 year old short legged jack russell is expecting her first litter,she was fine until week 3 then her appetite just went,took her to the vets who confirmed litter checked her temp normal and gave me some antibotics just in case,couldn't get those down her only eating the odd mouthful of food took her back last night did ultrasound 2 puppies,temp the same getting slightly dehydrated took blood,want to spay her today,not to happy about this as everything normal,brought her home actually had quite a bit to eat,but this morning not interested.Is this a common thing in pregnancy,i really don't want to put her through the op if this is or can be normal.thanks you

ANSWER: Suzanne-

A pregnant bitch going off her food is pretty normal, but I am concerned about some of the other things you said, such as the prescribed antibiotics (indicating there was something else worrying the vet, which antibiotic did they prescribe?) and the dehydration. Is she not drinking? Did they give her sub-Q or IV fluids while she was at the vets? What was the reason for the vet to recommend a spay?

What are you offering her to eat? Typically mild, easy to digest food will be greatly appreciated by your girl. Plain yogurt, light cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, rice, boiled chicken, chicken baby food... etc, will help her get her appetite back, but if she is dehydrated, she is not going to want to eat or drink until she gets re-hydrated with some Sub-Q or IV fluids. After that, I would put her on pedialyte to help her regain some electrolytes.

My concern is I do not have enough information to say whether or not her behavior is normal. If you could answer some of these questions as well as tell me if she is depressed, having any discharge, throwing up, having loose stools.. anything out of the ordinary, I can offer you a lot more help.

Thanks,

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hello shawn,
The antibiotics were Noroclav,which they prescribed as lucy had a very slight clear discharge,so just to be on the safe side even though she has no temp.They have given me some rehydration support powder to put in her water,they said she was slightly dehydrated due to not eating,but she has continued to drink all the time,they recommending a spay because there had been no real improvment in her appetite,couldn't find anything else wrong so it is the pregnancy making her ill.
I have offered her all sorts but after last night have boiled her some more chicken which i am hoping she will eat i will also try your other suggestions,She has been quiet since mating often taking herself off to sleep under covers,was sick 4 days ago after eating some grass,toliet although not very often has been normal firm stools dark brown
thanks again
suzanne

Answer
Suzanne-

Has she eaten or had any improvment? I am still thinking it is morning sickness, which is completely normal in pregnancy. I would continue with the rehydration powder, or purchase pedialyte from the drug store and use that as well.

Please let me know how she is doing!