- Retained placenta: This occurs when a piece of the placenta is left behind in the uterus after birth. It can cause infection and bleeding.
- Uterine infection: This can occur due to bacteria entering the uterus during or after birth. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, and abdominal pain.
- Vaginal lacerations: These can occur during birth and can cause bleeding.
- Hormonal imbalances: These can occur after giving birth and can cause changes in the menstrual cycle.
- Cancer: In rare cases, spotting after giving birth can be a sign of cancer, such as uterine cancer or vaginal cancer.
If your female dog is spotting 5 weeks after giving birth, it is important to take her to the veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. The veterinarian may recommend tests such as blood work, a urinalysis, and/or an ultrasound of the reproductive tract to determine the cause of the bleeding. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause.