| Ron Hines DVM
PhD 4/21/06
Over ninety-eight percent of all dogs deliver their puppies without
assistance or complications. But when our beloved pet or a sheltered stray
is set to deliver puppies it is comforting to know that things are
proceeding without hitches and on schedule. Here are some of the things that
should happen as your dog begins to deliver her puppies.
Just Before Labor Begins:
canine labor pregnant birth dog puppies
Pregnancy in dogs last approximately 63 days (56-69 days). Toy breeds may
deliver a week earlier while large breeds often deliver later. Two weeks
before your dog’s due date, begin to take its temperature at noon. Purchase
a rectal or oral thermometer but use it rectally. You can lubricate it with
margarine or KY jelly and insert it about an inch. Leave it in place for
three minutes. Your dog’s temperature should be between 101 and 102.5
Fahrenheit. When the pet’s temperature drops below 100F she should deliver
the pups in less than twenty-four hours.
Stage One of Labor:
During the first stage of labor the cervix begins to dilate and uterine
contractions begin. These contractions are painful and perplexing to the
dog. She will appear quite uncomfortable and restless - pacing, shivering
and panting. She probably will not eat and she may even vomit. Some dogs
whine persistently. Others occupy themselves building a nest. Uterine
contractions, although occurring, are not as easy to see as in humans. This
is the longest stage of labor. It generally lasts six to eighteen hours. By
the end of this period the dog’s cervix will have completely dilated for the
puppies to pass. During this period keep the mother’s environment quiet and
calm. I usually shut them off in a darkened area such as the bathroom.
Stage Two of Labor:
During the second stage of labor uterine contractions begin in force. As
this stage progresses the placental water sacks break and a straw-colored
fluid is passed. Placentas are expelled after each puppy or sporadically
during labor. Pups usually appear every half-hour or so after ten to thirty
minutes of forceful straining. As the pups deliver, the mother will lick the
puppy clean and bite off the umbilical cord. It is important to let the
mother do this, if she will, because through this process she bonds with her
puppies and learns to recognize them as her own. The rough licking of the
mother stimulates the puppies to breathe and improves their circulation. The
mother will probably eat some of the afterbirths. If the bitch does not tear
away the sac and lick the pups to stimulate respiration, the owner should
tear the sac open, clear all fluid away from the pup's nose and mouth, and
vigorously rub the pup to stimulate breathing.
It is not uncommon, however, for the mother to take rests during labor and
up to four hours can pass between some puppies. If more than four hours have
passed without a puppy and you are certain more puppies are present take the
dog to a veterinary hospital. Also seek assistance if the mother strains
forcefully for over an hour without producing another pup. If you see the
rear legs of a puppy protruding from the dog’s vagina you can assist the
mother by gently pulling the puppy in a downward and rearward arcing motion.
You must do this very gently because puppies are fragile and easily hurt. It
is normal for many puppies to be born rear feet first or breach. When a
mother dog is stuck in incomplete labor the first thing I do is administer
oxytocin and calcium to stimulate uterine contractions. If the puppies are
too big to pass through the birth canal or the oxytocin fails to induce
successful labor, I perform a cesarean section on the dog.
Stage Three of Labor:
The concept of a third stage of labor is borrowed from human labor terms. It
is a very indistinct period in dogs. Once all the puppies have been born the
dog enters this third stage of labor during which time the uterus contracts
fully, expelling any remaining placenta, blood and fluid.
Midwifery:
After thirty-two days of pregnancy the mother’s appetite will begin to
increase. She should begin to eat about twice as much as she used to. When
the puppies come and she is producing milk, her food consumption should be
about three times as much as it was before her pregnancy.
Purchase a name brand puppy chow to feed her with during these periods. If
you do so, there is no need to give her supplements of any kind. There is no
need to restrict the mother’s normal exercise but intensive exercise or work
training should be curtailed.
Around the forty-fifth day,
bring the pet in to be examined by a veterinarian. At this time the vet
will be able to palpate the puppies and give you an indication of how many
to expect. If you need to know earlier, then have an ultrasound examination
performed about the twenty-fifth day.
Blood progesterone levels can be tested about day 34 to confirm pregnancy.
The puppies will be born still
covered by the amniotic membrane. This membrane must be removed from the
puppy’s face in order for it to breathe. Most momma dogs are very attentive
to the newborn puppy and lick and tear the membrane off. If they are not or
you just don’t have the patience to wait, assist the dog in doing this. Peel
the membrane away and remove mucous from the puppy’s mouth and nose with a
soft towel. Tie a piece of dental floss or thread around the umbilical cord
about an inch from the puppy’s belly button and cut the cord distal to the
knot.
Serious Problems:
If the mother fails to go into labor within twenty-four hours after her body
temperature drops to below 100F you should take the dog to a veterinarian.
Do this also if you have calculated that more than 69 days have passed since
the dog was bred.
Some dogs will suffer milk
failure or insufficient milk before their puppies are weaned. This occurs in
older dogs as well as dogs that have another concurrent health problem such
as eclampsia, mastitis or systemic disease. These dogs need to be taken
directly to a veterinarian the puppies supplemented or raised by hand. Signs
that milk is inadequate are thin or lean puppies that cry consistently suck
objects around them (or each other) and do not sleep.
It is normal for the mother to
run a low fever during the two days after giving birth. I become concerned
if the fever is over 102.8, if the dog is drinking excessive water or if she
is depressed. These may all be signs of a retained placenta (or puppy) or a
uterine infection.
It is normal for the dog to
have a copious vaginal discharge following birthing. This discharge normally
has rusty reddish or greenish brown appearance. I become concerned when the
discharge is pus-like or has a strong odor. This can also be a sign of
retained placenta and uterine infection (metritis). Normal cleansing of the
uterus can last as long as eight weeks.
Normal mother dogs are bright,
alert and attentive to their puppies. She should have a ravenous appetite as
she converts metabolites to milk. I become concerned if the mother shows any
signs of listlessness or depression. She also needs to visit a veterinarian
if she is not attentive to her puppies.
Check the mother’s milk flow. It should flow with only the slightest of
finger pressure.
Eclampsia or Milk Fever:
Eclampsia is actually a glandular problem in which the parathyroid gland
does not secrete sufficient calcium-releasing hormone. When it does occur,
this problem happens just before or within 3-4 weeks after welping. Milk
fever is an acute, life-threatening condition. It is most common in small
breeds with large litters. Mother dogs become disoriented, stiff, nervous
and restless. They loose interest in her puppies. In severe cases they will
have muscle spasms, seizures and be unable to walk. The mother may run a
fever and have a rapid heart rate. . This problem results from low blood
calcium as the mother’s body prepares to produce calcium-rich milk. I treat
it by administering intravenous 10% calcium gluconate at
0.25-0.75ml/pound/hour. Affected dogs return to normal in fifteen minutes or
less. Then I either wean the puppies or place the mother on a calcium
supplement for the remainder of their lactation. Giving calcium supplements
during pregnancy is not helpful and may actually cause the problem to
reoccur during future pregnancies.
Mastitis or Breast Infection:
The normal canine breasts of mother dogs are soft, warm and enlarged. They
should never be red, hot, painful and hard. Hard painful breasts are signs
of infection. Dogs with this condition are reluctant to let the puppies
nurse and when they do little milk is produced. As soon as I identify a dog
with this condition I remove the puppies and hand feed them. Hot packs on
the affected breasts help draw down the infection. I place the mother dog on
antibiotics and limit her water supply to dry up her milk as quickly as
possible.
Hypoglycemia or Low Blood
Sugar:
This condition is easily confused with eclampsia. It is primarily a problem
in small breeds. The signs are disorientation, weakness, subnormal
temperature and low blood sugar analysis. I treat it by administering
intravenous dextrose solution. Recovery is very rapid. I often give some
dextrose at the same time I treat with intravenous calcium for eclampsia
since the two problems often occur together.
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