Whelping and fireworks

Question
Hi Joyce,

Thanks for your advice, however, Jess my Westie bitch gave birth last night to a breach puppy which got stuck and we had to go to vets for help, the puppy died.  Unfortunately she was carrying only the one pup and she is obviously distressed about the loss of the puppy.  Prior to giving birth she carried around with her a toy which she treated like her puppy, as she has done for the last year or so following heat/season which we were told was associated with Phantom pregnancies.  she is now carrying this toy around still and crying incessantly, should we take this toy off her or will she be too distraught and fall into a depression.  Don't know what to do for the best as it is a very sad time for us all.

By the way the medication prescribed by the vet was Zylkene which she had been taking for 6 weeks.  Could this medication have had anything to do with the death of the puppy even, the vet said it had not side effects if used during pregnancy ... but i wonder.

Many Thanks
Tracey

Answer
Breach in dogs is common, however a singleton will become stuck as the female can't push the pup out.  

Zylkene is given for stress and is not so much a medication as a supplement.  

If your female is "high strung" or nervous (both words not accurate but I hope you get the idea) I would change her dog food and supplement her with vitamin B complex, St. John's Wort or Bach's Rescue Remedy.  All have positive results.  Also Arnica will help with the healing process.

There's no reason for her not to keep her toy.  

Good luck