Bloodhound after birth

Question
Our family dog, Ruby, is a registered bloodhound. She went into he the first week of December and became pregnant by a wandering pit when we were at work. She had the puppies a week ago, and has a string of blood hanging from her vagina. I am first worried if she had them too early. We don't know how many she had because she had them under the house. Myself and my mother-in-law and my son are the only ones she is comfortable around. How do we know when she will be ok for us to move the puppies to a safer location and why wont she eat?

Answer
Hi Pamela

She needs a shot of oxytocin -- especially as you don't know how many pups she had, or if she's expelled all her placenta's, pups or the afterbirth.  If she retains any it can be fatal.

I would recommend bringing the pups immediately up from under the house and a get them in a secure, safe location. If she is strictly a out-side dog a dog run or area that can be cleaned is important.

What are you feeding her? It's important for a new mother to have a diet high in protein.

You may also want to consider having Ruby fixed after the pups are weaned.