Shallow Breathing After Giving Birth

[Claire_H]

My cocker spaniel gave birth on Sunday, the final pup was born about 9.30am.  Most of yesterday she was panting quite heavily but seemed very peaceful and was happy to stay in her box with the puppies.  Today the panting has subsided but is still there on occasion.  She seems to go through phases of being normal and then heavy panting.  I've just been into see her and she's in the box with all the puppies feeding happily, but her breathing is very shallow.  Is this normal behaviour for the first and second day?  I know I need to look out for Eclampsia, but have read that this doesn't normally happen until later on.

[mlynnf50]

I think I would ring the vets just to put your mind at rest

[Claire_H]

Peggy much better today, panting has virtually stopped and so has shallow breathing although it tends to come back occasionally when pups are feeding.

[ollie nathan's mum]

Did you ring the vet?

[Neon]

Glad Peggy is better today but it's always a good idea to have the vet check Mum and babies over, regardless of whether or not there are any obvious signs of ill health.  Hope all is well with the family.

[Jane S]

Panting is normal for the first few days - would be more surprising if there was no panting at all. Not sure what you mean by shallow breathing though - that wouldn't be normal for any dog, whether a new mum or not