Caring for working dogs

5 Signs Your Dog May Have Suffered A Miscarriage

29 March 2023

Jose Reid

A miscarriage occurs when a foetus dies during pregnancy, and it can happen to dogs as well as humans. Foetal death can happen at any point during a bitch's pregnancy, though the signs are far more likely to present themselves during the second half of their term. In some cases, one or more puppies in a litter will be miscarried while others will be born normally.

Though sad, canine miscarriages generally occur without causing any harm to your dog, but complications can happen. As such, it's best to bring your dog to the vet if you notice any of these five common signs of a miscarriage.

1. Unusual Vaginal Discharge

Heavy vaginal bleeding is a common sign of canine miscarriage, and it's also one of the easiest to spot. Your dog will typically bleed far more than normal, and the discharge may be thicker. In some cases, pus will be visible alongside blood, and the discharge may be brown, green, or even close to black. Additionally, an unpleasant odour will often come from the discharge or vulva.

2. Tissue or Placental Discharge

As well as discharging blood and pus, a dog who miscarries may expel placental or foetal tissue, especially if they are in the later stages of pregnancy. Unfortunately, many dogs instinctively eat the placenta after it has been expelled, so both the placenta and tissue may be ingested before you discover them.

3. Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain often accompanies a canine miscarriage, but such discomfort can be difficult to detect since dogs often don't show when they are in pain. However, you may notice that they seem more sensitive to being touched around the stomach and don't want to interact as much. If your dog suddenly stops enjoying tummy tickles, this could be the reason why.

4. Infection

There's a wide range of reasons why a dog may develop a fever, including urinary tract infections, abscessed teeth, and infected cuts. However, fever can also accompany a miscarriage. This tends to happen when some of the foetal tissue is not expelled. Whatever the cause of your dog's fever, a vet can check them over and prescribe antibiotics to treat the issue.

5. Lethargy

Dogs will often become a little more sluggish when they are pregnant, but those who suffer a miscarriage tend to seem particularly lethargic. They may suddenly stop wanting to engage in their favourite activities and almost seem a little dejected. In some cases, they will even stop eating or drinking as much as they used to for a short period.

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