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actions regarding the information on this web site. I am not a Veterinarian, nor do I portray myself to be one, so if you have medical questions please call your Vet first and foremost. DOG PREGNANCY - WHELPING - DELIVERY Do you have everything you need? whelping box old towels heating pad thermometer aspiration bulb scissors iodine thread clock emergency vet # pizza delivery # good book The vast majority of whelpings occur in the very early hours of pre-dawn darkness! Begin preparations for delivery of puppies before the female gives birth. A whelping box should be provided for the mother to begin sleeping in to ensure the puppies are born in the area you have chosen. This box should be relatively small with sides 6-8 inches high to keep puppies from crawling out of the nest. Place the box in a secluded yet familiar area of the home, away from traffic, to allow the mother solitude. Newspapers make excellent bedding because they can be changed easily, are absorbent, and can be shredded by the mother as she makes her "nest." If materials such as old quilts, blankets, rugs, or towels are used, they must be washed frequently. Labor in the mom can be divided into 3 stages. The second and third stages are repeated with the birth of each puppy. Stage 1: During the first stage, the mother seems extremely restless and very nervous and often seeks seclusion. She may refuse food even if offered her favorite treat. This stage may last 6-24 hours. This is a good time to exercise the mother to allow her to urinate and defecate. Let her walk off the pain. Stay with her. Stage 2: In the second stage, contractions and expulsion of the puppies begin. Usually, a small greenish sac of fluid protrudes from the vulva. This is followed by the puppy attached to its placenta. About two-thirds of all puppies are born nose first, stomach down, and one-third are born hindquarters first. Both presentations are considered normal in dogs. After delivery, the mother opens the sac, cleans off the pup and severs the umbilical cord. You may have to perform these functions for the mother (see Obstetric Care below). Make sure the sac is removed from the puppy immediately if it is unbroken during delivery. Stage 3: The third stage of labor is the resting stage which follows each delivery. Mild contractions and delivery of the afterbirth occur in this phase. This stage usually lasts 10-30 minutes, but it may range from a few seconds to an hour. If the delivery proceeds normally, a few contractions will discharge the puppy; it should exit the birth canal within ten minutes of being visible. Following delivery, the mother should lick the newborn's face. She will then proceed to wash it and toss it about. Her tongue is used to tear the sac and expose the mouth and nose. This vigorous washing stimulates circulation, causing the puppy to cry and begin breathing; it also dries the newborn's haircoat. The mother will sever the umbilical cord by chewing it about 3/4 to 1 inch (11/2 to 2 cm) from the body. Next, she will eat the placenta. The pup has about six minutes of "grace period" before it must breathe, otherwise brain damage or death will occur.) If the puppy or a fluid-filled bubble is partially visible from the vagina, the owner should assist delivery. A dampened gauze or thin wash cloth can be used to break the bubble and grasp the head or feet. When a contraction occurs, firm traction should be applied in a downward (i.e., toward her rear feet) direction. If reasonable traction is applied without being able to remove the puppy, or if the mother cries intensely during this process, the puppy is probably lodged. A veterinarian's assistance should be sought without delay. IT IS NOT UNUSUAL for a bitch to whelp a pup after a few hours of mild or occasional contractions. However, if the contractions are intense and are repeating approximately every 3-4 minutes and no pup is presented within 1/2 hour--CALL. Also, if the "water bag," the grayish-blue sac enclosing the fetus, passes through the vulva and breaks, a pup should follow within 20 minutes. If no pup is delivered--CALL. Sometimes there will be enough discomfort that the bitch will yelp (especially during her first delivery). If the yelping proceeds to definite cries of pain at each contraction and no progress is being made at producing a pup--CALL. Obstetric Care: After a pup is delivered, remove all membranes covering the puppy, clean the face and remove mucus from the mouth and nose. Rub the puppy with a clean towel to dry it and to stimulate respiration and circulation. After a few minutes of rubbing, the puppy should begin to squirm and cry loudly. Newborn puppies may aspirate fluid into the lungs, as evidenced by a raspy noise during respiration. This fluid can be removed by the following procedure. First, the puppy should be held in the palm of your hand. The puppy's face should be cradled between the first two fingers. The head should be held firmly with this hand and the body with the other hand. Next, a downward swinging motion will make the puppy gasp. The fluid will flow out of the lungs, this may need to be repeated 3 or 4 times. Next use the aspirator bulb in the puppies nostrils to clear the fluids, this too should make the puppy gasp. Do this until the lungs sound clear and the puppy is breathing easy. The tongue is a reliable indicator of successful respiration. If the puppy is getting adequate oxygen, it will appear pink to red. A bluish colored tongue indicates insufficient oxygen to the lungs, signaling that the swinging procedure should be repeated. The umbilical cord should be tied about an inch away from the puppy’s body with a fine thread and then cut on the side of the knot away from the puppy. Apply a drop of iodine or merthiolate to the cord end after it is cut. Assisting with the Birth: If a puppy seems to be lodged in the birth canal and the mother cannot expel it, rapid assistance is necessary. There may not be time to call your veterinarian and drive to the hospital. Grasp the puppy with a clean towel and exert steady, firm traction. Do not jerk or pull suddenly. Traction may have to be applied for as long as 5 minutes. If you cannot remove the puppy, call the veterinarian. Behavior of the Mother: During whelping and nursing, your pet may not be her usual self. She may be very nervous and filled with a sense of protectiveness for her new family. Any aggression she may exhibit usually fades as time passes. Notify the veterinarian if any of the following occur: You cannot remove a puppy lodged in the birth canal. There is a strong, persistent labor without delivery of a pup. There is weak, intermittent labor for 6 hours without delivery of a pup. It has been more than 4 hours since the last birth and it is probable that more puppies are still inside. There is a greenish-black discharge and no labor or puppies within 3-4 hours. The greenish-black color is normal, but such a discharge should be followed very soon by the delivery of pups. The pregnancy lasts more than 65 days. During the delivery process you are about to experience an emotional but exhilarating and exhausting next few hours. A breech birth is not as unusual for dogs or as complicated, as it is for humans. Breech birth Normal birth Potential Problems An undelivered placenta or two, which can contribute to a serious postnatal infection for mom. A dog's straining to get her pups out. More than a two-hour delay between pups. Dark green or bloody fluid passed before the first birth instead of afterward. More than 30 minutes between the breaking of the amniotic sac and delivery. A puppy's head emerging during a contraction, then slipping back into the birth canal afterward. Also, if your dog goes into labor less than 57 days into gestation, the pups may be too immature to survive. The new mother indicates the conclusion of the birth by relaxing and nurturing her babies. She curls protectively around her puppies and takes a well deserved nap.
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