Normal Birth In Dogs
(Whelping)
Preparations for Whelping
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 birth of puppies in the area you have chosen. This box
should be relatively small, with sides 6-8 inches high to keep the pups from
crawling out of the nest. Place the box in a secluded yet familiar area of the
home, away from the family 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 such materials as old quilts, blankets, rugs or towels are
used, they must be washed frequently.
If you want to know more precisely when delivery is
near, check the rectal temperature of the mother twice daily from the 58th day
of pregnancy until labor begins. Normally rectal temperature varies between
100.5 and 102 F. Within 24 hours before the onset of labor, the rectal
temperature drops nearly 2 degrees.
Labor and Delivery
Labor in the female dog (bitch) 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 treats. This stage may last 6-24 hours.
This is a good time to exercise the mother to allow her to urinate and defecate.
Stage 2 : In the second stage, contractions and
expulsion of the puppies begin. Usually a small greenish sac of fluid protrudes
first from the vulva. This is followed by the puppy and its attached placenta.
The normal presentation of the puppy is nose first, stomach down. About
one-third of all puppies, however, are born hindquarters first. This
presentation is considered normal in the dog.
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.
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.
The umbilical cord should be tied about an inch from
the puppy's body with 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 doctor.
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 Doctor if Any of the Following Occur:
