This action will appear similar to the bitch trying to have a bowel movement. The first puppy should be delivered within 1 to 2 hours of the onset of contractions and straining. Veterinary assistance is strongly encouraged if the first puppy is not delivered within 2 hours after the onset of contractions. After delivery of the puppy, the bitch may enter a resting phase that can last up to 4 hours. Active straining will begin again and more puppies will be delivered.
If you know there are additional puppies yet to be born and the resting period is longer than 4 hours, veterinary assistance is necessary. This resting phase may not occur after each delivery. Sometimes, several puppies may be born rapidly. After delivery of a puppy, the bitch may enter stage III labor. This is the time when the placenta, after birth, is delivered and usually occurs 5 to 15 minutes after delivery of the puppy.
If multiple puppies are born rapidly, several placentas may be expelled together. After the passage of the placenta, the bitch will return to stage II labor. She may continue the resting phase or begin contracting. Throughout whelping, the bitch will fluctuate between stage II and stage III labor until all the puppies are born.
It is very important to keep track of the number of placentas. There should be the same number of placentas as puppies. If a placenta is retained in the uterus, the bitch will eventually become quite ill. As soon as the puppy is born whelped , the mother should immediately start cleaning the puppy. She should begin vigorously licking the puppy, remove him from the amniotic sac if still present and chew the umbilical cord.
The bitch may even ingest the placenta. This is not necessary and, sometimes, can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Prompt removal of the placentas can help you keep track of how many placentas she has passed.
Those puppies that are born still in the sack need immediate help. If the mother does not open the sack and begin cleaning the puppy, it is up to you to help. Tear the membrane of the sack and begin cleaning and rubbing the puppy with a clean dry towel. Cleaning other puppies may be necessary if the mother is not showing much interest in her newborns. Tie off the umbilical cord about 1 inch from the belly wall using string, thread or dental floss. Cut the cord off on the other side of the tie.
Clean and rub the puppy vigorously until you hear crying. Embryo development is occurring. In the coming days, increasing fluid in the uterus will prevent the palpation of the puppies until closer to delivery. She also recommends feeding your pregnant and nursing dog a high-quality puppy food to ensure her nutritional needs are met.
Your pregnant dog is now in stage two of her pregnancy. In this stage, the term for her yet-to-be-born puppies changes from embryos to fetuses. As the fetuses continue to grow and develop organs they will increase dramatically in weight as much as 75 percent!
You may notice that she starts to eat smaller meals more often throughout the day. She may start to shed the hair from her belly. If your dog becomes ill, call your veterinarian immediately and let them know that she is nursing so that they can prescribe safe medications if needed.
If your dog stops eating, vomits, or becomes very lethargic weak and tired , or if you notice redness and swelling in any of her mammary glands, contact your veterinarian. To help with the serious problem of overpopulation, talk to your veterinarian about spaying or neutering your dog. This is the only birth control for dogs. The cost of an unwanted pregnancy can be very high. Giving a litter of up to 14 puppies proper veterinary care adds up quickly, and emergency cesarean sections can cost thousands of dollars.
In general, small breed dogs should be spayed at a younger age, while large and giant breed dog spays may be delayed until they are a bit older.
Small breed dogs tend to go into heat sooner than large and giant breeds, and there is recent evidence that allowing some large breed dogs to become skeletally mature before spaying or neutering may reduce the risk of joint problems later in life.
Because there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation of when to spay or neuter your dog, ask your veterinarian for their specific recommendation. Most dogs are spayed or neutered around 4 to 6 months of age. It is also important to consider the risk of pyometra infection in the uterus , which is a life-threatening condition that can happen in intact not spayed dogs.
The best way to prevent this serious and expensive medical condition is to have your dog spayed. Spaying before the first heat cycle which can occur as early as 6 months of age can also reduce the risk of mammary cancer in your dog.
Although you may want to pet and hold the puppies constantly, it is important not to intervene too much in the first week or two of their lives, as they are very susceptible to disease, and it can be stressful to mom and babies.
Use caution when approaching the puppies, as some mothers may show aggression to humans or other household pets if they perceive a threat. As the puppies get older and more rambunctious, your dog will want more and more time to get away and sleep, exercise, or socialize with members of the household. Give your dog space to get away from the puppies, but make sure that she is returning often to check on them. Puppies are unable to regulate their own body temperature until they are 3 to 4 weeks old.
For the first four weeks of their lives, you should provide a warm, clean box or bedding for the mother and puppies to share. Use a heating pad below the whelping box, or a heating lamp above it to keep the puppies warm. Ensure that there are unheated areas as well, as the puppies will need to be able to move away from the heat source if they become too warm.
At this point, if the mother dog will allow it, you can get the puppies used to your presence. Socializing them at an early age can help ensure that they fit well into a household. If you notice that one of your puppies is smaller or has less energy than the others, consult your veterinarian.
Puppies should not be taken away from their mother and sent to their new homes too quickly, as they learn very important social rules and behavior from their mother and siblings. Puppies should not be separated from their mother if they are younger than 8 weeks old. Wait until they are 10 weeks old so they will have had the maximum benefit of social interaction with their mother and littermates. Once the puppies are 3 to 4 weeks old, you can begin the weaning process by giving them access to puppy food.
You can mix dry kibble with water or canned puppy food to make it easier for them to eat. They should still have constant access to the mother, as she will continue to nurse them.
Over the next few weeks, they will rely more and more on puppy food rather than nursing. Most dogs will wean their puppies by 5 to 6 weeks of age. Contact your veterinarian to ask for their recommendation regarding when the puppies should first be examined. They may want to see them right away to evaluate for cleft palates, umbilical hernias, and other health concerns, or they may advise you to wait until they are a bit older.
Many veterinarians recommend deworming at regular intervals starting at 2 to 4 weeks of age, and vaccinating at 6 weeks of age. Home Diseases A-Z. Published: July 09, Here are some important considerations to keep your dog and her puppies healthy and happy. Is There a Pregnancy Test for Dogs? What to Feed Pregnant Dogs Pregnant dogs should be transitioned to a higher-calorie diet at four weeks of gestation about a month into their pregnancy.
Health Considerations for Pregnant Dogs It is recommended that you have a fresh stool sample checked by your veterinarian, as intestinal parasites can be spread to the puppies both in utero in the womb and during nursing.
First Stage of Dog Labor: Start of Contractions The first stage is defined as cervix relaxation and the start of intermittent contractions. Second Stage of Dog Labor: Stronger Contractions and Birth The second stage of labor begins with stronger, more frequent uterine contractions that eventually lead to the birth of a puppy. The average litter size varies widely depending on the breed. Small breed dogs typically have one to five puppies.
Issues to Watch for After Your Dog Gives Birth Here are some things to expect and what to watch for following the birth of the puppies. Vaginal Discharge The vaginal discharge may last in small amounts for up to eight weeks after the puppies are born.
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