How to clean up postpartum lochia in dogs What owners need to know about postpartum lochia in dogs

Types of postpartum lochia in dogs

Lochia lasts for about a week after a dog gives birth. In the early stage, the lochia contains blood and is red; in the middle stage, it turns to light yellow; in the later stage, it is transparent and colorless, and then stops being discharged. If it cannot be cleared for a long time or there is an abnormal stench, it indicates that there are pathological changes in the uterus.

Generation of postpartum lochia in dogs

The postpartum period of dogs includes the entire process of the discharge of the afterbirth, the elimination of lochia, and the restoration of the reproductive organs to their original state. The main changes in the postpartum reproductive tract of dogs are the regeneration of the uterine mucosal layer; the variable shedding of maternal placental mucosa; the proliferation of uterine gland epithelium and the formation of a new epithelial layer; the "substantial part of the mucosa atrophies" and is absorbed; and lochia will be discharged.

Causes of lochia in dogs

The main causes of lochia are the degenerated and shed maternal placenta, blood in fetal membrane blood vessels, residual fetal fluid in the uterus, and large amounts of secretions from uterine glands. In the first few days, lochia contains blood, so it will appear red; later it will gradually turn into a light yellow transparent liquid; and finally it will become transparent and stop being discharged.

Care for postpartum lochia in dogs

When breastfeeding, you usually lie on your side. The vulva stays close to the bedding for a long time, so it is more likely to cause infection. Parents should regularly disinfect and clean the dog's mother's vulva and perineum. Lochia contains a large amount of blood and other substances that are easy for bacteria to grow, so it can cause ascending infection and must be wiped clean in time. Clinically, 0.1% potassium permanganate water is commonly used as a cleaning solution because it has strong oxidizing effect and is non-irritating.