How to help your dog to whelp

Video: How to assist your Dog during Whelping - the delivery process

Content

Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparation
Part 2 of 3: Assisting with Childbirth
Part 3 of 3: Caring for your dog after giving birth
What do you need
Warnings
Tips
Additional articles

At the beginning of labor, the dog's innate instincts almost always come into play, so your intervention is not required at all. However, if you have a pregnant dog, you should know what to expect during her labor and how you can help her if needed. Certain dog breeds are more prone to complications during childbirth. If you have, for example, a bulldog or a pug, then it is critically necessary for you to prepare for this event. In this case, owners of dogs of all breeds should first show the pregnant dog to the veterinarian.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Preparation

1 Show your dog to the veterinarian. If your dog is just planning a pregnancy, take it to your veterinarian before mating. You should then go back to see him at about 30 days of pregnancy. If the pregnancy was not planned, take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you become aware of the pregnancy.
- If you decide to start breeding, it is recommended that you wait until the dog is at least 24 months old. By this time, she will be mature enough to cope with any of the possible complications of pregnancy.
- Some dog breeds are prone to genetic abnormalities such as dental problems, misaligned kneecaps, hip dysplasia, back problems, allergies, heart disease, and / or behavioral problems. It is important to be aware of these issues before you start breeding dogs.
2 Be careful when administering medications and vaccinations to a pregnant dog. You should not use drugs that are unsafe during pregnancy unless your veterinarian tells you otherwise. You also cannot vaccinate a dog during pregnancy.
- The dog must be vaccinated before pregnancy so that it can pass on its own antibodies to the puppies. If you do not vaccinate in advance, you should not do so during pregnancy, as some vaccines are harmful to developing embryos.
- When killing fleas, be sure to use a product that is safe for pregnant dogs.
- Be sure to follow the deworming schedule. A mother who has not been treated with anthelmintic drugs can transmit roundworms, hookworms, or heartworms to her puppies.
3 Understand what a normal pregnancy should be like. The average gestation period for dogs ranges from 58 to 68 days. Try to correctly determine the date of conception so that you can prepare for childbirth in a timely manner.
- From 45 days of gestation, your veterinarian can use x-rays to determine the number of puppies in a litter.
- You may also notice the dog's nesting tendencies and the tendency to retire and hide. This is normal and to be expected.
4 Talk to your veterinarian about the right nutrition for your pregnant dog. Most non-obese pregnant dogs should be fed puppy food in the last half or third of pregnancy.
- Usually puppy food is higher in calories than plain adult dog food. A pregnant bitch needs extra calories for embryo development.
- Do not add calcium supplements to your dog's diet unless directed by your veterinarian. Postpartum mastitis, or eclampsia, is quite common in small dog breeds in the first few weeks after giving birth. The likelihood of this disease is increased if the bitch receives an excessive amount of calcium during pregnancy.
5 X-ray your dog to determine the number of puppies. Your veterinarian can count the number of puppies in a litter by x-raying your dog after 45 days of gestation.
- If you have a large breed dog, such as a German Shepherd or Labrador, it is common to have up to 10 puppies.
- If you have a small breed dog, such as a Chihuahua, then 3-4 puppies in a litter are already considered a large number.
- If the veterinarian can only consider one or two puppies, then this may indicate possible complications in childbirth. Fewer puppies mean that they will be larger and may be too large for natural birth. In such cases, it is best to have a planned caesarean section.
- Although a planned cesarean section will be quite expensive, it will be cheaper than an urgent unplanned cesarean section. So plan ahead.
6 Prepare a nest box for your dog. About a week before giving birth, set up a nest box for your dog in a quiet, secluded place where he can safely give birth.
- Keep your dog comfortable by providing a cozy box away from the rest of the pets in your home.
- A box or paddling pool with a bed of clean old towels or blankets is great for a dog's nest.
7 Start looking for future owners for your puppies. Once you find out that your dog is pregnant, whether it is a planned pregnancy or an accidental pregnancy, start looking for puppies in their future homes.
- If you cannot identify all the puppies, be prepared to keep them yourself until you can find owners for them. Thousands of dogs are in animal shelters because irresponsible owners recklessly breed without providing new owners for the puppies. Don't become part of the problem.
- Be prepared to live with your puppies for at least 8 weeks before they leave you for their new homes. In some countries, such as the US in the State of California, it is illegal to acquire puppies under 8 weeks of age.
- To make sure your puppy is in good hands, you should interview potential owners by asking them the necessary questions. It is also a good idea to charge potential buyers in advance for a reasonable fee for each puppy. This will make sure that the intentions of the future owners of the puppy are serious and that they want to buy a pet.
8 Purchase a puppy feed formula in advance. Newborn puppies should be fed every 2-4 hours. Keep the formula handy in case the mother has trouble feeding the puppies.
- A special puppy formula is available at most pet stores.
9 Isolate the bitch three weeks before giving birth. Protect your dog and its puppies from getting canine herpes by isolating it from contact with other dogs in the last three weeks before giving birth.
- It is also highly recommended to isolate the nursing bitch from other dogs for three weeks after giving birth.

Part 2 of 3: Assisting with Childbirth

1 Watch closely for signs of labor. There are several signs that labor is coming soon. Watch for them to prepare for the moment your dog begins labor.
- Before giving birth, your dog's mammary glands will enlarge due to the onset of milk production. This can happen several days or just before childbirth, so watch carefully for this symptom.
- A few days before giving birth, the vulva will begin to soften.
- The dog's temperature will drop approximately 24 hours before giving birth. Take her temperature every morning in the last week before giving birth to get an idea of your dog's normal temperature. To measure temperature, lubricate the rectal thermometer and insert it into the anus to a depth of about 1.5 centimeters. Leave the thermometer for about 3 minutes to accurately measure the temperature. Most likely, a dog's normal temperature will be between 38.3-39 degrees Celsius. If you notice a decrease in temperature by half a degree or more, labor is likely to begin within the next 24 hours.
- In the early stages of labor, the dog may have difficulty breathing, whine, pantyhose as if in discomfort, or hide. She may not want to eat, however, offer her water, although she may refuse it.
2 Pay attention to the appearance of contractions. The appearance of contractions is quite easy to establish, since at the moment of a contraction a wave passes through the dog's belly.
- If you notice contractions and suspect the onset of labor, provide the dog with access to the nest box and monitor it from afar. Many dogs give birth at night in order to be in complete privacy. You shouldn't be around your dog relentlessly, but you should monitor the frequency of his contractions and the subsequent appearance of the puppies.
3 Monitor the birthing process. Again, observe the birth from a respectful distance and do not interfere unnecessarily.
- You will notice that your dog's contractions become more frequent and / or violent as you get closer to labor. The dog may try to get up, which is perfectly normal, do not force him to lie down.
4 Pay attention to the birth of each puppy. As the puppies arrive, monitor the birth closely and look for signs of problems.
- Puppies can be born booty or head first. Both options are considered the norm.
- The dog may squeal as the puppy is born, which is to be expected. But if the dog is clearly in severe pain, you should call your veterinarian immediately.
- Usually puppies appear at intervals of 30 minutes or so after 10-30 minutes of vigorous pushing (however, it may take up to 4 hours between puppies). Contact your veterinarian if the puppy does not appear after 30-60 minutes of pushing. Also call your veterinarian if 4 hours have passed since the last puppy was born and you know there are still unborn puppies.
5 Monitor the puppies after birth. Keep an eye on all puppies after birth and watch for signs of problems, however, you probably won't need to intervene.
- At birth, the puppy will come out in the membranes, the bitch will have to break them and bite the umbilical cord, and then lick the puppy. It is better to give her the opportunity to do everything on her own, as this is part of establishing her strong attachment to the puppies.
- If your dog does not rupture the puppy's membranes within 2-4 minutes, you should carefully tear them apart yourself with clean hands. Wipe off any liquid around the puppy's mouth and nose, then rub well to stimulate breathing.
- Make sure the puppies are warm, but again, don't interfere unless you see a problem. Newborn deaths (stillbirths or puppies die within a few hours of birth) are common in most mammals giving birth to droppings, so be prepared. If you notice that a newborn puppy is not moving, try clearing its mouth and stimulating it by rubbing its body to make it breathe.

Part 3 of 3: Caring for your dog after giving birth

1 Continue feeding your dog a high-calorie food. Provide her with calorie-rich foods (such as puppy food) so that she does not lose fat by feeding her puppies.
- It is very important to provide the lactating bitch and her puppies with sufficient nutrients. This helps the dog to recover sooner after giving birth and helps the puppies to develop properly.
2 Monitor your dog's condition in the weeks following birth. Dogs are prone to certain diseases and complications after childbirth.
- Look for signs of metritis (inflammation of the uterus), which include fever, foul-smelling discharge, lethargy, loss of appetite, decreased milk production, and loss of interest in puppies.
- Watch for signs of eclampsia, which may include nervousness, anxiety, loss of interest in the puppies, and stiff, painful gait. Untreated, eclampsia can lead to muscle cramps, inability to stand, fever, and seizures.
- Watch for signs of mastitis (inflammation of the breasts), which may include redness, hardening, and tenderness of the breasts. The dog may try to stop feeding the puppies, but you yourself must encourage them to continue feeding. This will flush out the infection without causing any harm to the puppies.
3 Hope everything goes well, but be prepared for complications. Make sure that the bitch does not stop caring for the puppies or get sick after giving birth.
- If this happens, take your dog to a veterinarian if necessary.

What do you need

Medical gloves (available at most pharmacies)
Clean towels and old blankets
Sturdy box
Veterinary phone number (including the emergency number of the veterinarian at home)
Mix for puppies (in case of impossibility of feeding them by the mother)

Warnings

An uncastrated bitch after rutting is at risk of developing a uterine infection called pyometra. This is a serious and potentially life-threatening medical condition that requires immediate veterinary attention. Monitor the bitch after each heat to make sure there are no symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, or increased thirst.

Tips

Provide the dog with adequate birthing space.
When your due date is approaching, always have your veterinarian's recorded number and your veterinarian's emergency home number on hand.
Most dog births take place without major complications. It is best to follow the process from the outside and intervene only when necessary.