Constipation or Puppy Poopy butt?

I am writing this post for all the other breeders or new puppy owners who might have experienced a problem with their puppy and pooping.  (I know...Gross topic....or as my hubby says TOO much information!!)  It is just like babies and diapers...its something a new puppy owner has to know how to take care of and you just have to wear gloves and get over the poop phobia. 

With my first litter of puppies I remember watching one of the puppies try to go poop.  Nothing happened.  He kept trying and trying and I started to become concerned, thinking he had constipation.   A google search indicated that pureed pumpkin would soften a stool.  But I did not have that and was concerned about the time it would take.  I was all prepared to go to the veterinary, because on examining his bottom their was a hard piece of poop blocking his anus.   Luckily, the light when on in my head.  It occurred to me, that it may just be poop had dried on his little bottom.  Young puppies who are still nursing have very soft stools, and as their fur begins to grow it is so easy for it to get stuck on the fur and dry there.   The puppy can feel something on his bottom and keeps trying to poop it off.  But it is so dry it won't go away, no matter what he does.

This could actually become a serious problem if not addressed right away, because the poop does impede the pups ability to defecate.  Luckily the solution to the problem is very simple.  All you have to do is soak the puppy bottom in warm water (not hot or cold as they are sensitive).   Take a rag and wash the anal area.  With a very dried poop, it may not come off right away.  Just come back every 15 minutes and rewet the bottom.    I don't soak the whole puppy, because they get cold and shiver when they are wet.  I just wet their bottom with a rag.   After a little bit of time the dry poop softens and can then be removed.

When you have thoroughly cleaned the bottom, take a pair of scissors and very carefully trim the fur away from the anal area.  That will need to be done every few weeks at least while the pups are little, and at least once a month when they are mature.  Even adult dogs can have an occasional problem of this kind.

Ideally, a momma dog will clean their puppies up continually and this problem could be avoided.  But since that doesn't always happen, it is up to the breeder to keep on top of this issue and clean up her puppy bottoms as needed.  Baby wipes work fine for everyday maintenance when you take your puppy home.

So guess what I am doing this morning?  You got it....its diaper duty time for my litter...seven little bottoms getting a trim!