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Whelping puppies can be very exciting but trouble does sometimes occur so be prepared for an emergency trip to the veterinarian.
Never leave your dog while she is whelping many mothers and litters are lost because no one was there to help during an emergency. There are three stages to canine labor: Stage 1 - The first stage of labor you may not notice. The mother dog will become restless and may not want to eat. She will clean herself by licking her vulva. She will take frequent trips outside to urinate and defecate. You might be able to feel contractions. This first stage can last anywhere from 6 - 12 hours. Stage 2 - During the second stage of labor she will begin panting and the contractions will be closer together. You might be able to see the contractions. Move her to the whelping box if she isn't already there. The mother dog will begin nesting behavior where she roots around the box making a nest. Stage 3 - During the last stage of labor the contractions are closer together and mother dog is actively pushing. The tail will lift with each push. Some dogs will cry or scream and some dogs will lie down while other squat. The puppy will start to emerge quickly once she starts to push. It is normal for puppies to come head first or breech. If mom is pushing or straining for 10 - 20 minutes with no results call your veterinarian immediately, this is an emergency. Delivery - Once the puppy has emerged it will be covered in the amniotic sac with the cord attached to the placenta. If momma dog does not attend to the puppy you will need to step in and clear the sac from the puppy and stimulate the puppy by rubbing it with a clean dry towel (have a clean towel ready for every puppy). A bulb syringe works well for clearing the puppies airway. If momma dog does not chew the cord herself you can use dental floss to tie the cord about one inch from the puppy and cut the cord yourself. Then give the puppy to mom so she can lick and continue stimulating the baby. If the mother dog wants to do all the above herself by all means let her have the honor. An hour can go by between puppies, this is normal. We only worry if she is actively pushing with no result for longer then 20 minutes. The next day mother dog should have an exam by a veterinarian to ensure her health and ensure that there is not a puppy still inside her. If there is emergency surgery maybe necessary to save the life of the mother. Additional Information - It is normal for her to have a green or brown vaginal discharge for 6 - 8 weeks but if the discharge is bloody - bright red, call your veterinarian. Momma dog should continue eating a high quality puppy food so that she gets proper nutrients. Feed several meals a day, milk production takes a lot of calories. It is also a good idea to check her mammary glands for signs of infection and continue checking her temperature. If she begins to run a fever call your veterinarian immediately. The above is basic information about whelping puppies, if you are expecting a litter it is a good idea to continue educating yourself about the topic. Or if you have questions contact your veterinarian.Related article - How To Care For A Pregnant Dog
The copyright of the article Whelping Puppies in Pet Care is owned by Charla Dawson. Permission to republish Whelping Puppies in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
May 12, 2007 5:54 PM
jami boatman :
1 Comment:
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