Our dog gave birth to five lovely puppies yesterday, she coped excellently, but we are not sure what our next step should be, do we take her to the vet, she seems healthy and the pups are suckling well, when can she go out, should she be panting - she is drinking little but often is this normal, sorry for all the questions, but we are just not sure. When I phoned the vets, they said as long as she was well and the pups we good then not to worry, but I am still worrying.

Please help

Congratulations. Sounds like the mother and babies are doing well. Don't worry. Easy to say, but from experience I know that Mothers typically do not have appetites for up to a few days, and may only drink water. She may not want to leave her pups for that long as well. Even to go to the bathroom. When she is ready to get up she will.