For the past couple of days, Gypsy is gradually getting more and more itchy. She is starting to look quite dandruffy. I know boxers can often get walking dandruff but she was checked for this recently and nothing was found. I last used Frontline just before she was mated but to be honest I was wondering if this could be due to the Synulox tablets that she is taking at the moment to help clear the mastitus up. Could she be having a bad reaction to them? She started taking them on Friday and on Friday night she sicked her food up but I put that down to the tripe not agreeing with her. She has been eating well but again she was sick a little on Saturday night too. Could it just be due to being a little too warm in the whelping box perhaps. I am due to go back to the vets tonight so I will mention this problem to them but just wondered if anybody else had ever had any problems using this antibiotic. Cheers.

Went to the vets last night and vet seems a bit puzzled as to why she is so itchy but he has suggested we don't do any further tests until puppies are a little older. He does'nt seem to think there is any connection with the synulox. The only other thing that has changed recentley is that she gets puppy milk to drink now. Maybe this could be what is making her so itchy. Hopefully I will be able to give her less and less of the milk as the pups get bigger so I'll just have to waite and see.

Yes, puppy milk could be making her itchy, as most adult dogs have a lactose intolereance. Apparently puppies produce rennet, which adult dogs don't. Rennet is used to make cheese, which is why adult dogs can tolerate cheese more than milk and why puppies can tolerate milk. Rennet is also what gives pups 'puppy breath'. She does not need milk.

Also, what food is she on? Lots of dogs are allergic to maize or wheat and that often exhibits itself as dry, flakey skin.

She is fed raw one day and a dried puppy complete the other which is wheat and gluten free. My vet today has suggested that I keep her on the puppy milk as she will need the extra calcium at the moment as she is feeding a large litter. He would like me to carry on with it until pups are at least three weeks old. I was always told that it was good for the mum to have the puppy milk before they give birth until a few weeks after they are born.

Giving milk to an in whelp or lactating bitch is rather old fashioned.

If she is being fed puppy food, that will have extra calcium in it anyway. Too much calcium before or after the birth can induce eclampsia. Did the vet mention this to you? I used to think my breeder was bvarking when she said vets know nothing about breeding dogs, but sadly, it has since become apparent that she is mostly right!

My girl managed to rear a litter of 9 puppies having not had a drop of milk. You just need to make sure she gets plenty of food and plenty of fluid in her. Adding water to her complete will help.

Okay, I'll give it a go without the milk. Gypsy may need a little persuading though to start with. I already soak the puppy complete food with plenty of warm water so hopefully that helps get the liquids into her. Will it be ok to give her some cottage cheese still now and then?