Postpartum Diarrhea in Dogs: What Owners Should Know

Is Diarrhea After Whelping a Concern?

"My Min Pin/Dachshund cross became a first-time mommy of seven beautiful pups yesterday morning. Her bowels were expelling black water, but now it's like brown water, just a bit thicker than yesterday. Is that normal? And is there anything that I can do to get her stomach back to normal?" —Elize

Why Placenta Consumption and Oxytocin Can Lead to Diarrhea

Many dogs experience this, and it's often considered normal. One reason is that dogs typically eat the placentas after giving birth, and a small stomach may not be accustomed to processing that much fresh meat. (Congratulations on the seven puppies!) Additionally, the hormone oxytocin rises around the time of birth, and it is known to increase bowel motility in humans (1) and rats. (2) Because of this increased movement in the intestines, some diarrhea is expected.

This typically resolves on its own before long. I generally avoid giving medications to dogs with a new litter. However, if the diarrhea doesn't clear up, it's important to have your regular veterinarian examine her to rule out a retained placenta or another underlying issue that could be making her ill.

Managing Common Postpartum Issues in Dogs

Diarrhea is just one of the challenges that can arise for dogs with new puppies. Below are other frequent postpartum problems in dogs and suggestions for what you can do.

Sources

1. Ohlsson B, Ringström G, Abrahamsson H, Simrén M, Björnsson ES. Oxytocin stimulates colonic motor activity in healthy women. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2004 Apr;16(2):233-40. i.nlm.nih.gov/15086877/
2. Qin, J., Feng, M., Wang, C., Ye, Y., Wang, P.S. and Liu, C. (2009), Oxytocin receptor expressed on the smooth muscle mediates the excitatory effect of oxytocin on gastric motility in rats. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 21: 430-438. i.org/10.1111/j.1365-2982.2009.01282.x

This article is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from your veterinarian. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

© 2022 Mark dos Anjos, DVM