Stoneyford Heritage Meats

After what felt like the longest day of waiting, Ru’s labour officially began late on Sunday night. She had shown early signs from 5 a.m., but things really kicked off when her waters broke at 9:45 p.m. From there, she delivered five strong, healthy puppies between 10 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. Then, after a two-hour pause, I checked on her, cleaned up her bedding, and kept an eye on her through the camera before finally heading to bed.

When I woke up at 6 a.m., I was met with a surprise—two more puppies, safely delivered, cleaned, and already feeding. Ru had done an amazing job! But by lunchtime, she was pushing again, and I had to assist her in delivering a stillborn pup. She seemed distressed, so we took her to the vet for a check-up. A scan confirmed she was clear, and we thought we were in the clear too.

However, within a few hours, Ru’s behaviour changed. She started acting abnormally—growling and even snapping at her puppies. It didn’t sit right with me. I know Ru well, and this wasn’t her especially after watching her tentatively tend to her babies all morning. A bit of research led me to something I hadn’t considered before: eclampsia, or calcium deficiency, is a big risk for whelping and lactating bitches. Sheep can get something similar so why hadn’t it occurred to me that dogs could also.

A quick dose of calcium and some valerian to help her relax made all the difference. Within a few hours, she was noticeably more settled, and by morning, she was back to being the doting mother we know and love. It was a stressful experience, but also a valuable learning moment.

For anyone new to breeding, eclampsia can come on suddenly and be serious. It’s caused by a drop in blood calcium levels due to contractions during labour and the demands of milk production, and symptoms can include restlessness, tremors, panting, or even aggression. If left untreated, it can escalate quickly. Making sure mum has a well-balanced diet both before and after whelping is crucial, but supplementing calcium should always be done under veterinary guidance—too much or too little can both be harmful.

This experience has taught us a lot, and if we ever breed another litter, we’ll be far more aware of the risks. For now, though, we’re just enjoying watching Ru with her beautiful new puppies—happy, healthy, and thriving.