What are the signs of miscarriage?
In many cases, there are no visible signs of miscarriage. Early miscarriages typically result in resorption of the embryo, with no outwardly-visible signs. Typically, early miscarriages are only detected if a pregnancy was confirmed on an early ultrasound and a later ultrasound shows no viable pregnancy.
Later-term miscarriages may be associated with clinical signs, but they may also be asymptomatic. Abnormal vaginal discharge (brown, green, black, or pus-colored) at any time during pregnancy, abdominal pain, and fever are all potential signs of miscarriage or infection. Additionally, some pets experiencing a miscarriage will begin to have contractions and deliver stillborn puppies.
If miscarriage is suspected, ultrasound is used to assess the pregnancy and determine whether the fetuses are viable. Progesterone level monitoring can also be beneficial in pregnancy monitoring; abnormal progesterone levels may indicate a failing pregnancy.
After a miscarriage has occurred, testing of both the mother and the fetus may be recommended to look for infectious causes of miscarriage. Blood tests performed on the mother, cultures of vaginal fluids, and histopathology (microscopic examination) of the fetus may determine a cause for the miscarriage.
Finding a cause for the miscarriage, especially if that cause is a treatable condition, may improve outcomes in future pregnancies.
If you suspect that your dog has miscarried, bring her in to the veterinarian. The veterinarian can test for the presence of fetuses through palpation, radiographs, or ultrasound, which will reveal any puppies that are present. X-rays and ultrasounds are especially useful both for identifying uterine contents and for determining the viability of fetuses still present. Depending on the cause of the miscarriage, the veterinarian may recommend additional tests for infection or other underlying conditions, which will need to be treated to ensure your dog’s overall health.
A miscarriage may lead to either a spontaneous abortion or a resorption. If the litter is reabsorbed at the start of the pregnancy, your dog may not exhibit any signs. If a miscarriage occurs closer to the due date, however, a fetus will be aborted. You may see vaginal discharge, contractions, or expelled placental or fetal tissue. Oftentimes, a dog owner doesn’t realize that the bitch has miscarried, as she may eat any expelled tissue before it is discovered. A dog who has suffered a miscarriage may be lethargic or depressed and may become dehydrated if she is refusing to eat or drink. If she has an infection you may also notice she has a fever and there is foul-smelling discharge from her vagina.
A dog may abort or reabsorb a litter at any time during her pregnancy due to a number of reasons. Without adequate levels of progesterone or proper nutrition, she cannot maintain her pregnancy. Infection or other diseases may likewise prompt a miscarriage. If your dog is secreting vaginal discharge, or if she abruptly becomes lethargic and depressed, she may have miscarried or aborted her pregnancy, though you will need to bring her to the veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.A miscarriage is the spontaneous resorption (stays inside the body) or abortion (leaves the body) of a dog’s litter. This is sudden and irreversible, and it typically results in a poor prognosis for any remaining fetuses, though most bitches make a full recovery. A veterinarian may potentially be able to help your dog carry the rest of the litter to term if the necessary action is taken soon enough.Youtube Play
Treatment for bitches who have miscarried is supportive and varies depending on circumstance. Restrict your dog’s activity, and make sure that she remains hydrated while she recovers. If any of the fetuses are still viable, the veterinarian will find a way to help your dog carry them to term. Otherwise, you will need to ensure that your dog has expelled all pregnancy-related tissues, which can be verified with an ultrasound.
Your dog will need extra attention from you while she recovers from her miscarriage. Most bitches show signs of depression following the loss of her litter, but given time, she should recover and return to her old self. Limit her activity during the first few days following the miscarriage, and ensure that she has access to clean, fresh water, as well as a quiet, comfortable place where she can rest.
What Is a Miscarriage in Dogs?
The fetuses inside the dog’s womb are no longer viable and will no longer result in a successful pregnancy. The miscarriage may occur at any time from conception until term (which is usually around 63-67 days after conception). In domestic dogs, a miscarriage may also be described as pregnancy loss, spontaneous abortion or absorption of a litter of puppy.
Sometimes in the earlier stages of pregnancy, the mother absorbs placental and fetal tissue from the uterus, back into the body leaving no signs that the puppies ever existed – they simply vanish. This can make it extremely difficult for dog owners to detect and may leave you wondering whether the puppies were ever there in the first place. If the mother does not spontaneously absorb her puppies, she may expel them through the birth canal; she may also experience a lot of bleeding. Even then, she may lick and eat the evidence of the miscarriage, leaving you none the wiser.
Canine miscarriages are highly distressing for the mother and you may notice changes in her mood. She may appear depressed and experience a loss of appetite. She may also experience vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea or tummy pain, all of which will add to her distress. If your female dog experiences any of these symptoms, you must seek medical advice from a veterinary professional immediately – she may require treatment following a miscarriage.
Dog miscarriages are usually caused by a hormone imbalance (usually low progesterone levels) inside the female dog’s exceptionally delicate uterus. Miscarriages may also be triggered by certain bacteria, the most common of which being Brucella canis. They can also be caused by parasites such as Neospora caninum which is found in contaminated food and water and in some fungi. If your dog has experienced a miscarriage consequent of bacteria or fungi, she will need to be treated with even greater urgency as the bacteria or parasite may cause additional health risks.
SYMPTOMS OF DOGS MISCARRIAGE / CAUSES AND TREATMENT
Just as it is with humans, a miscarriage for your dog can be a traumatic experience. Unfortunately, unlike humans, she won’t be able to tell you what’s wrong. Spontaneous abortions can occur for a number of reasons at any point in your dog’s pregnancy. So, to best help your dog in this difficult time, it is important you know the symptoms of a canine miscarriage in order to get her the medical attention she needs.
Depending on when it occurs in your dog’s pregnancy, a miscarriage is a spontaneous abortion or reabsorption of one or more of the litter. This happens suddenly and is irreversible, though the mother typically makes a full recovery. Some veterinarians may be able to help your pet carry the rest of her litter to term if they were not all affected by the miscarriage, though the prognosis is usually poor for any remaining fetuses.
Unfortunately, there are a number of things that can result in your dog miscarrying her litter. Depending on the cause, certain breeds are more prone to a miscarriage compared to others. In addition, malnourished dogs have an increased risk of miscarriage as they do not have the nutrients needed to support a pregnancy. The causes of canine miscarriage include:
The most common cause of canine miscarriage is the result of hormonal imbalances, although any of the above can have adverse effects on a dog’s pregnancy.
If a spontaneous reabsorption occurs early in your dog’s 63-day gestation period, it is possible that she will exhibit no signs or symptoms that it is has taken place. However, a late stage abortion will result in noticeable symptoms so it is up to you as her owner to keep a watchful eye for any changes. The most common symptom of a miscarriage is abnormal and abundant vaginal bleeding or discharge. The color of the discharge tends to be between deep green or black with a thick texture that may contain pus. Although, it can sometimes be bloody and thin. The important thing to note is that the volume of blood or discharge will be substantial. In some cases, you may even find the expelled fetus.
Other signs that your dog has experienced a miscarriage include stomach pain, weight loss, fever, dehydration, restlessness, lethargy, decreased energy levels, diarrhea, vomiting, and shifts in behavior that may indicate canine depression.
If you suspect that your dog has miscarried all or some of her litter, you should seek out veterinary care immediately. Your vet will evaluate the presence and health of fetuses using palpation, radiography, and ultrasounds. X-rays and ultrasounds can be particularly useful when identifying the contents of your dog’s uterus and to assess the viability of any remaining fetuses. Additional tests may be needed to determine if there was an underlying condition which caused the miscarriage. From these tests, your veterinarian will be able to tell if further treatment is required.
Once the vet has determined the cause of the miscarriage, they will devise a dog miscarriage treatment plan to help your pet return to full health. First, if any fetuses were deemed to be viable, your vet will help your pet carry them to term. Otherwise, your vet can ensure that your dog has expelled all pregnancy-related tissues with an ultrasound to avoid further complications. If the miscarriage was the result of an infection, your vet may prescribe antibiotics for your dog.
During recovery, you will need to make sure your dog rests and remains hydrated. Most canines show some signs of depression after a miscarriage and will require a quiet place to rest during their recovery. You should continue to monitor vaginal discharge over the days following a miscarriage and notify your vet if anything unusual occurs. As your dog recovers, the discharge will cease and after some time she should return to her normal self.
A dog’s pregnancy is a delicate thing and you will need to ensure that you are providing your pup with all she needs to successfully carry her litter to term. Unfortunately, in some cases, there is nothing you can do to prevent the cause of your dog’s miscarriage. In those scenarios, simply being there for your pet and getting her the appropriate medical attention is all you can do.
“Miscarriage in Dogs – Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost.” WagWalking, 30 Sept. 2015, Accessed 9 Oct. 2018. www.wagwalking.com/condition/miscarriage.
Millburn, Naomi. “Signs of a Dog Miscarriage.” Cuteness.com, 9 Feb. 2017, Accessed 9 Oct. 2018. www.cuteness.com/article/signs-dog-miscarriage.