How wonderful that your bitch will soon be a proud mother and have some cute new puppies to look after! The good news is that dogs often make fantastic moms, and the majority of canine pregnancies are trouble-free.
There are a few things to watch out for before, during, and after labour, even though issues with dog childbirth are quite uncommon. Your veterinarian will be more than pleased to provide you guidance if you're concerned at any point.
Things to look out for during dog pregnancy
Dogs often have trouble-free pregnancies, but there are several indicators that can indicate problems. Speak with your veterinarian if:
- When your bitch is pregnant or ill in any other manner, she stops eating. After 30 days of pregnancy or immediately before your dog gives birth, it's not uncommon for bitches to lose their appetite, but otherwise, she should be healthy and intelligent.
- Any unusual vaginal discharge, such as bleeding or an unpleasant odour, can happen at any stage of pregnancy.
- She appears miserable, is sobbing, in pain, and is not at all healthy.
- During her pregnancy, the mother miscarries the puppies.
Warning signs for dog labour problems
Fortunately, the majority of dog labours are not as spectacular as ours. Although difficulties are rare, your dog should be more than capable of giving birth on her own. Speak with your veterinarian if:
- Within 24 hours of her temperature falling, Mum does not go into labour. If the pups don't appear, there may be a problem because the decreased dog labour temperature is typically an indication that they are on the way.
- Even after 20 to 30 minutes of intense contractions, your bitch has not given birth to a puppy. Speak with your veterinarian, and if you decide to see the procedure, be ready to bring any newborn pups with you.
- Within four hours of your bitch releasing a green or red/brown vaginal discharge, no puppy is delivered (be ready to call the veterinarian after two hours).
- You know there are more within when more than two hours go by and your bitch is either sleeping or just experiencing light contractions in between puppies.
- A puppy is visible at the vulval entrance, but despite your bitch's efforts, it is unable to give birth.
- For almost twelve hours, your dog has been in the second stage of labour, which is when pups are delivered.
After your dog’s labour and delivery
Your new arrivals are arrived, so rejoice! Although it's a joyful moment for you and your pet, you should be watchful since issues might still arise following labour. Watch the happy new mother and get in touch with the veterinarian if:
After a few hours
- There should be as many placentas as there are puppies, but your bitch hasn't passed all of them.
- Your bitch may have hypocalcaemia, a calcium deficit, if she exhibits twitching, anxiety, restlessness, a rigid, painful stride, or convulsions.
- She is listless, has a fever, is ill and has lost her appetite, or is not interested in the puppies. Any of these can point to a uterine infection.
- After giving birth to all the puppies you anticipated, your bitch is still under stress.
After a few days
- She is listless, has a fever, is ill and has lost her appetite, or is not interested in the puppies. Any of these can point to a uterine infection.
- Her nipple discharge is foul-smelling, brown, or bloody, or her mammary glands are red, stiff, and painful.
- Other than not eating, being melancholy, having diarrhoea, or losing weight, your bitch is ill.
- Although a blackish or reddish discharge is typical for the first few weeks after birth, she has a foul-smelling or extremely bloody vaginal discharge.
After a few weeks
- She loses more than one puppy, or you worry about other people's health.
- None of her puppies seem happy or eager to eat. We call these pups "fading."
