Appetite changes

Question
QUESTION: Hi Cindi,
I have a 3yr old Yorkie/Maltese(11 lbs.)who is going into her 50th day of pregnancy, my question or concern is that she is not eating any more than what she did before she became pregnant and within the past few days she seems to have even less interest in eating...a few bites here and there throughout the day. She is eating Natures Recipe, half adult and half puppy formula. At this stage should she not be eating more or at least have a bigger appetite? Normally she loves to eat!

ANSWER: Feed her several small meals a day rather than one or two. Also make sure she's not showing any other symptoms, heavy panting, fever, discharge, It's not unusual for them to become picky during pregnancy but it can also be a symptom of health issues, Probably would be a good idea to have her checked out to rule out anything just to ease your mind,
Better safe than sorry
Cindi

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

QUESTION: Well she is now on day 54 and I did take her to the vet for a check up and x-rays to see how many pups she is carrying. The vet says she is doing fine and she is showing 4 pups maybe five...apparently she had a full bowel and it was obstructing a full view! My question is how will we know when she is finished whelping all the pups if she should have a stalled labor or inertia? Thanks so much for your response!

Answer
Have your vet give you a dose of oxitocin to give her after two hours or so delivering the fourth pup. It'll help bring her milk down, and make sure she has nothing left in there. Puppy or otherwise. You should also be able to feel whether there is a puppy left after the fourth pup. They do rest between horns so if she's sleeping and appears comfortable and quiet, then she is either resting or has no more pups. If she DOES have a pup left at some point she will begin digging. panting., etc. Keep a watch on her temp after delivery, milk production, heavy panting and/or discharge. These are just things everyone should keep an eye on post delivery
Good luck
Cindi