Pet Information > ASK Experts > Dogs > Reproduction > just had puppies

just had puppies

18 13:45:08

Question
my 3 year old jack russell just had her first litter today. She only had 2 puppies. The second pup is much bigger than the first and seems to know what to do. The first pup is very small and noisier than the second and doesn't seem to know how to suck. Is all this normal. The mother seems to have calmed and no more contractions. It has been 5 hours since the last pup. She just pants alittle bit once in awhile. I assume she is done but I'm not sure. What do you think? And what about the tiny puppy, what should I do with it,I have got it to latch on a little but I'm not sure what to do.

Answer
Did you have x-rays to ensure that she was only expecting 2 pups?  If she's still panting that could indicate that there is still another pup in there.  You may want to consider getting a shot of oxytocin in her.

The smallest pup could be in distress and you may have to help it by supplementing it and keeping it warm.  It can't regulated it's body temperature.