placanta still inside

Question
my dog just gave birth to 3 puppies, on the 3rd puppy the cord ripped and the placenta didnt come out, i suspect there is another puppy inside, it has been about 10mins since the last puppy came out (the births have been 3 hours apart). what should i do?

Answer
Hi Rob

No need to panic just yet.  You want to ensure that all the placenta's are accounted for, but if there is still a pup inside, it can come out either before it or with the afterbirth.  

10 minutes is not enough time for concern.  If they have been 3 hours apart, you have time.   If however, after all the pups are born, you don't see it, a shot of oxytocin is required.  

Good luck