Female dogs usually have a built-in mothering instinct and know exactly what to do when their puppies are born. However, sometimes your dog just does not know what to do with her puppies after they are born and she could care less about taking care of or nursing them. On the other hand, your dog may be excessively mothering to the point where she is trying to care for and nurse puppies that are not hers. She may or may not have had her own puppies and may even guard and clean stuffed animals as if they were her puppies. It is not a hereditary disorder and can happen in any breed of dog. These disorders are thought to be caused by certain chemical imbalances in your dog after birth similar to when a human mother has postpartum depression.
Maternal behavior problems in female dogs includes both lack of maternal behavior (mothering) and excessive mothering to her own or other dog’s puppies. These behavior problems can be dangerous if the dog does not take care of the puppies and nurse them.
Maternal Behavior Problems Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $300 - $5,000
Average Cost
$550
Symptoms are different for each type of maternal behavior problem.
Lack of Maternal Behavior
Excessive Mothering Behavior
Types
Lack of Maternal Behavior includes dogs that do not take care of their young.
Excessive Mothering Behavior includes female dogs without puppies that try to take care of and nurse other dog’s puppies.
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Most often a hormone imbalance is responsible for either of these disorders, but there are other reasons that can cause these behaviors.
Lack of Maternal Behavior
Stress or Fear
Illness of the Mother
Puppy’s Health
Cesarean Section
First Litter
Too Many Puppies
Excessive Mothering Behavior
Hormones
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After giving your dog’s medical history and the reason for your visit, the veterinarian will do a physical examination. Your veterinarian may also run a CBC and urinalysis to rule out any medical reasons for the maternal behavior problem. If not neutered, they may perform a vaginal cytology to determine what stage of her cycle your female is in.
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If your dog is not taking care of her puppies because she is sick you will need to get her back to good health, but otherwise there is no medical treatment for maternal behavior problems in female dogs. If she is in heat and you do not plan on breeding her, you should get her spayed as soon as possible. This is a routine surgery that is very safe with very few risks. Not getting your dog spayed can lead to ovarian or breast cancer as well as uterine infection.
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Your dog will recover as soon as her hormones level out, which takes 4 to 6 weeks in most dogs. Regular visits with your veterinarian will keep your dog healthy and happy.
Maternal behavior problems can be expensive to treat. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.
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Maternal Behavior Problems Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $300 - $5,000
Average Cost
$550
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Pit Bull
Three Years
Unknown severity
32 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
My dog just had puppies four days ago and has been doing great. But she started to leave her puppies and lay on my laundry. Then when they cry she goes back to them but she Cry's too this isn't all the time but I'm not sure if its normal or what it means.
Dec. 11, 2020
Owner
Dr. Sara O. DVM
32 Recommendations
Hello, many moms will leave their puppies alone for a little bit and go back to them when they cry. Her crying is a way of communicating with the puppies. If she is eating and otherwise acting okay, I would not worry about her. If she is not eating or acting like she is sick it is best for your vet to look at her.
Dec. 12, 2020
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Valley bulldog mix
11 months
Unknown severity
9 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
She has been frantically looking for her pups when they are all next to her panting alot won't sleep for long period of time and is tearing my house up while crying all pups are accounted for and everyone is okay she panics when I leave room what is going on with her
Sept. 29, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
9 Recommendations
Thank you for your question, I'm sorry that she is having such distress. Without being able to see her, it is hard to say why she is having these problems, other than she is very young to have so many puppies. If she is nursing the puppies, this may calm down over the next few days as she gets used to them, as she may just not know what to do. It may help to give her some sort of other surrogate puppys like a stuffed animal of some kind, and see if she calms down with that. If she does not, it would probably be best to have her seen by a veterinarian to make sure she is okay. I hope that all goes well for her and the pups.
Sept. 29, 2020
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Maternal Behavior Problems Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $300 - $5,000
Average Cost
$550
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