# Fever in Dogs After Giving Birth: Causes and When to Worry A fever in dogs after giving birth is a red flag that should never wait until morning. A dam's normal temperature is roughly 100.5 to 102.5°F, and anything at or above 103°F in the days after whelping points toward metritis, mastitis, or eclampsia, all of which can become life threatening within hours. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - A temperature of 103°F or higher in a dam within the first weeks after whelping is a same day veterinary problem, not a wait and see problem. - The three conditions that most often cause postpartum fever in dogs are metritis (uterine infection), mastitis (mammary infection), and eclampsia (low blood calcium from nursing). - Clinical mastitis was diagnosed in 13.2% of whelpings in one large guide dog population, with the average diagnosis at 16.7 days after birth [1]. - Metritis is far less common, appearing in about 0.7% of whelpings in that same population, but it is the most dangerous of the three [1]. - Never give human fever or pain medications to a nursing dog. Many are toxic to her or to her puppies, and the dose depends on her weight, so your veterinarian must set it. ## What a Postpartum Fever Looks Like and What Is Normal A dog's normal body temperature is about 100.5 to 102.5°F. Body temperature is controlled by the hypothalamus, a thermostat in the brain, and a true fever means that thermostat has been reset higher, usually because of infection or inflammation [2]. That is different from simple overheating, which happens when a dog cannot shed heat fast enough. Right after whelping, many dams run slightly warm for a day or so. Mild temperature swings around birth can be normal. What is not normal is a temperature that climbs to 103°F or above, stays there, or comes with any of the signs below. ### How to take her temperature Use a digital rectal thermometer. Lubricate the tip with a water based jelly, insert it about one inch into the rectum, and hold it until it beeps. Clean it with soap and water afterward. If you are unsure how to do this safely, our guide on [How To Tell If Dog Has Fever](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/how-to-tell-if-dog-has-fever) walks through the steps. ### Signs that go with the number A fever rarely travels alone. Watch for: - Foul smelling, brownish, or bloody vaginal discharge - A uterus that still feels large or tender days after birth - Hot, hard, red, or painful mammary glands, or milk that looks bloody or pus filled - Refusing to eat, vomiting, or heavy panting - Trembling, stiffness, restlessness, or a wobbly, unsteady walk - Neglecting or refusing to nurse the puppies Any of these paired with a high temperature means call your veterinarian now. ## Main Causes of Fever in Dogs After Giving Birth Three conditions account for most postpartum fevers. The table below gives the short version, and the sections after it explain each one. | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Metritis (uterine infection) | Foul vaginal discharge, enlarged uterus, poor appetite, fever, listlessness in the first days to two weeks after birth | Emergency, can progress to sepsis and death within hours | | Mastitis (mammary infection) | One or more hot, swollen, painful glands, abnormal milk, fever, puppies with diarrhea or fading | Same day, and puppies may need to be removed from the dam | | Eclampsia (milk fever, low calcium) | Trembling, stiffness, panting, restlessness, then muscle spasms or seizures, usually in the first weeks of nursing | Emergency, can be fatal without calcium treatment | ### Metritis in Dogs After Whelping Metritis is an infection of the uterus. It usually shows up in the first days to two weeks after birth, and it is the cause that worries veterinarians most. The uterus is a large, warm, blood rich space right after delivery, which is ideal for bacteria. Watch for a dam who was doing fine and then stops eating, runs a fever, and passes discharge that smells bad. She may also vomit, pant, or seem depressed. In the guide dog population studied, metritis was rare at 0.7% of whelpings, but when it happens it can move fast [1]. A uterus infection can spill bacteria into the bloodstream, and sepsis is a leading cause of death in newborn puppies in their first 21 days [3]. ### Mastitis in Dogs After Birth Mastitis is inflammation of the mammary tissue, and it is most common during the postpartum period [4]. It can be clinical, with obvious hot swollen glands, or subclinical, where the milk carries bacteria but the gland looks close to normal [4]. Mastitis is more common than many owners expect. In one study of over 3,000 whelpings, clinical mastitis was diagnosed in 13.2% of them [1]. Two risk factors stood out. Bitches with a litter of 9 or more puppies were 60% more likely to develop mastitis than those with smaller litters, and bitches with congested mammary glands were 4.8 times more likely to develop it [1]. Mastitis matters for the puppies too. When a dam's milk carries bacteria and bacterial toxins, puppies can develop what is called toxic milk syndrome [3]. In one reported case, three 5 day old puppies became ill with diarrhea, body redness, and infected umbilical stumps because the mother had pus in all of her breasts [3]. The milk grew beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, and the puppies needed to be separated from the mother and fed a milk substitute while both they and the dam were treated with antibiotics [3]. ### Eclampsia in Dogs After Birth Eclampsia is a sudden drop in blood calcium, and it typically strikes during peak nursing, when milk production drains calcium from the dam's body. It is not an infection, so the fever may be mild or absent, but the neurologic signs are dramatic. A dam may tremble, stiffen, pant, pace, and then progress to muscle spasms or seizures. Calcium status in bitches around whelping is an active area of research. A recent study compared ionized calcium levels in bitches that did and did not develop mastitis, metritis, or dystocia, because the relationship between calcium and these postpartum diseases in dogs is not yet well established [5]. That means your veterinarian will rely on her signs, her history, and a blood test instead of on any single number. ## Red Flags That Make It an Emergency Call an emergency clinic right away if your dam has any of these: - A temperature of 103°F or higher - A seizure, muscle spasms, or severe trembling - Foul smelling vaginal discharge - Collapse, extreme weakness, or gums that look pale or muddy - Vomiting that will not stop - Puppies that are crying, cold, diarrhea, or failing to gain weight One caution about temperature. A normal or even low temperature does not rule out a serious infection. In a study of dogs with septic peritonitis, a severe abdominal infection, 37 of 60 dogs had a normal temperature at admission and one was actually hypothermic, and having a normal temperature was not linked to a higher death rate [6]. In other words, a very sick dog can have a normal thermometer reading. Judge the whole dog, not just the number. ## Safe Things You Can Do at Home While You Wait Your main job at home is to keep the dam and puppies stable until you reach the veterinarian. - Take her temperature and write down the number and the time. - Note the color, amount, and smell of any vaginal discharge. - Look at every mammary gland. Feel for heat, firmness, and pain, and check the milk for blood or pus. - If a gland looks infected, do not let the puppies nurse from it. In the reported mastitis case, the puppies were separated from the mother and fed a commercial milk replacer [3]. Ask your veterinarian whether the whole litter should come off the dam. - Keep the puppies warm and watch them for diarrhea, redness, or crying. - Offer water. Do not force food. - Do not give any medication, including human fever reducers, without veterinary direction. Doses are calculated by your veterinarian from your dog's weight and health status. If the puppies are sneezing, have nasal discharge, or seem congested, that is a separate problem, and our article on [Dog Sneezing: Normal or a Sign of Illness?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/dog-sneezing-normal-or-illness) can help you sort out what matters. ## What Your Veterinarian Will Check and Test Expect a full physical exam first. Your veterinarian will take a rectal temperature, palpate the abdomen to assess the uterus, examine each mammary gland, and check the vulva for discharge. They will also ask about the birth itself, how many puppies were delivered, and whether the placenta came out completely. Testing often includes: - Blood work, including a complete blood count and chemistry panel. In the reported case of neonatal sepsis from maternal mastitis, the puppies had low white cell counts with neutropenia and monocytosis [3]. - A calcium level, since eclampsia is on the list and calcium status around whelping is still being studied [5]. - Milk culture. In one study of milk from 39 bitches, samples were cultured and tested for antibiotic resistance, including testing Staphylococcus aureus isolates for resistance genes [4]. Culture helps your veterinarian pick an antibiotic that will actually work. - Imaging, such as X-rays or ultrasound, to look for a retained puppy or placenta. - Vaginal swab or uterine culture if metritis is suspected. Treatment depends on the diagnosis. Metritis usually needs intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and sometimes surgery. Mastitis needs antibiotics plus milk removal or puppy separation, and in the reported case the dam was treated with amoxicillin with potassium clavulanate while the puppies received ceftriaxone [3]. Eclampsia needs intravenous calcium, given slowly and under veterinary supervision. Antibiotic choices in breeding dogs are not casual decisions, and a survey of 426 breeders and 94 veterinarians found that diagnostic uncertainty often drives antibiotic use in canine reproduction [7]. Your veterinarian will weigh the dam's health against the puppies' exposure through milk. ## Prevention and Monitoring After Whelping Good monitoring catches most problems early. - Take the dam's temperature once or twice daily for the first two weeks after birth, and any time she seems off. - Weigh the puppies daily for the first two weeks. Puppies who stop gaining or lose weight are a warning sign. - Check every mammary gland at each feeding for heat, hardness, or pain. - Keep the whelping area clean and dry, and change bedding often. - Feed a high quality diet that supports lactation, and make sure fresh water is always available. - Know your dam's normal. If you tracked her pregnancy, you already know what her baseline looks like. Our article on [dog pregnancy symptoms](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/dog-pregnancy-symptoms) covers what to expect along the way. If you are ever unsure whether a sign is normal, call your veterinarian. A phone call costs little. Waiting on a postpartum fever can cost everything. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you what is wrong with your individual dog. Only a veterinarian who examines her can do that. Use the timing below as a guide. **Emergency now (call or go immediately):** temperature of 103°F or higher, seizures, muscle spasms, collapse, foul vaginal discharge, nonstop vomiting, or puppies that are cold and fading. **Same day:** fever under 103°F with poor appetite, a hot or painful mammary gland, or unusual discharge. **Routine visit:** a dam who seems well but has a mild temperature elevation that comes and goes, or any question about her recovery that is not urgent. When in doubt, err on the side of calling. Postpartum problems in dogs can go from manageable to critical in a matter of hours. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How long does a fever last after a dog gives birth? A mild temperature bump in the first day after whelping can be normal and should settle quickly. A fever that persists beyond that, or that climbs, is not normal and needs veterinary attention. There is no safe waiting period for a high reading. ### Can I give my nursing dog human fever medicine? No. Never give human medications to a nursing dog without veterinary direction. Some are toxic to dogs, and others pass into milk and harm the puppies. Your veterinarian will choose a safe drug and calculate the dose from your dog's weight and health. ### Is it safe to let puppies nurse from a dog with mastitis? It depends on which gland is affected and how sick the dam is. In at least one reported case, the puppies had to be removed from the mother and fed a milk replacer because her milk was carrying bacteria [3]. Ask your veterinarian before letting the litter continue nursing. ### What does metritis discharge look like? Metritis discharge is often brownish or bloody and smells foul or rotten. It may be thick or watery, and it can appear in the first days to two weeks after birth. Any bad smelling discharge after whelping is a reason to call your veterinarian the same day. ### Can a dog have a normal temperature and still have a serious postpartum infection? Yes. In a study of dogs with a severe abdominal infection, most had a normal temperature at admission, and a normal reading was not linked to a higher risk of death [6]. A normal thermometer number does not cancel out other warning signs like not eating, vomiting, or acting depressed. ## Related Articles - [How To Tell If Dog Has Fever](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/how-to-tell-if-dog-has-fever) - [Dog Sneezing: Normal or a Sign of Illness?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/dog-sneezing-normal-or-illness) - [dog pregnancy symptoms](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/dog-pregnancy-symptoms) - [Dog Diarrhea After Vaccination: Normal or a Concern?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/dog-diarrhea-after-vaccination) - [Dog Heat Related Illness](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/dog-heat-related-illness) - [Dog Coughing: When Should You Worry?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/parasitic-diseases/dog-coughing-when-to-worry) - [Post-Whelping Care: What to Expect After Your Dog Gives Birth](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-care/dog-care-after-giving-birth) - [Dog Fever and Milk Fever: Home Care and When to Worry](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/emergency-and-first-aid/dog-fever-milk-fever-home-care) - [Mastitis in Dogs After Heat: Causes and Treatment](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/skin-allergy-and-ear-care/mastitis-dogs-after-heat) ## References 1. [Incidence and risk factors for canine mastitis and metritis in two guide dog populations](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34280749/). Animal reproduction science, 2021. 2. [Fever of Unknown Origin in Dogs - Dog Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/metabolic-disorders-of-dogs/fever-of-unknown-origin-in-dogs). Merck Veterinary Manual. 3. [Neonatal Sepsis in Dogs Caused by Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus Sourced From Maternal Mastitis-Case Report](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41477560/). Case reports in veterinary medicine, 2025. 4. [Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus and other mastitis-causing pathogens isolated from canine milk](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41005215/). Research in veterinary science, 2025. 5. [Serum Ionized Calcium Concentrations in Breeding Bitches Over Time in Relation to Mastitis, Metritis and Dystocia in a Guide Dog Population](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41801107/). Veterinary medicine and science, 2026. 6. [Absence of an elevated temperature at admission is not associated with mortality in dogs with septic peritonitis](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40983089/). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2026. 7. [Practices and perceptions of antibiotic use in canine breeding: a survey among breeders and veterinarians](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42539550/). Frontiers in veterinary science, 2026. ## Further Reading - [American Veterinary Medical Association: First Aid Tips for Pet Owners](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners) - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Dog Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners) - [Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center: Canine Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information)