Shih Tzu Postpartum Care

Whelping a litter Shih Tzu puppies can sometimes be physically
and emotionally exhausting for both you and the Shih Tzu matron.
Before you take your well deserved rest, be certain the Shih Tzu
matron and Shih Tzu puppies are comfortable, each Shih Tzu puppy
has nursed well, the heat lamp is not too close, and the heating
pad is not turned up too high. At this time it is crucial to
maintain proper environmental temperatures. Newborn Shih Tzu
puppies are incapable of controlling their own body
temperatures. Chilling to any degree leaves newborn Shih Tzu
puppies susceptible to infectious disease. Room temperature
should be maintained at about 85 degrees Fahrenheit for at least
their first few days.

Initially offer your Shih Tzu dam only soft, messy-type foods
and supplements of a high quality milk replacement added to her
food. I like using Pedigree Lamb and Rice canned formula with
Just Born milk replacement powder sprinkled on top or mixed
within.

Most Shih Tzu dams are ready for a good meal once whelping is
over and the puppies are all settled in nursing well. However,
do not worry if she refuses one or two feedings during her first
24 hours of motherhood. Do not expect her to leave her newborn
Shih Tzu puppies. If she is too exhausted to eat right after
whelping, she will be ready by the next day most usually.

To prevent serious cleanup problems, place four interlocking
layers of open newspaper on the floor over heavy plastic film
such as that used by painters. Plastic sheeting covered by
newspaper saves all flooring, is nonporous, makes any cleanup
easy and is inexpensive to purchase.

Use Clorox bleach, ¾ cup to a gallon of water to disinfect the
Shih Tzu whelping box and immediate area. You will need to
disinfect daily.

Two days following whelping, offer your Shih Tzu matron soft
food mixed with a high quality dog food. I use HealthyPetNet
Life’s Abundance and have found it to be the absolute best food
for my Shih Tzu.

Your Shih Tzu dam should be seen by a veterinarian for a
postpartum examination within 24 hours of whelping. It is not
uncommon for a Shih Tzu dam to retain one or more placentas,
large amounts of blood and other body fluids in the uterus. It
is also possible that she retained one or two Shih Tzu puppies
as well. All of these need to be expelled immediately. Retention
will predispose the Shih Tzu dam to infection. Many
veterinarians will give the oxytocin shot within the first 24
hours of whelping to help her expel any retained fluids,
placental material and/or puppies.