Preparing to welcome a puppy is a very exciting time.
Proper preparation before labor (also known as labor) is important to make the process go as smoothly as possible. Knowing what is normal can help minimize stress for pet parents and mothers-to-be.
What is parturition?
Labor is the process of giving birth.
A drop in your dog’s body temperature is probably the first sign that she is about to give birth.
During pregnancy, a pregnant woman’s body, hormones, and nutritional needs change. Most dogs give birth to puppies on their own and do not require parental intervention.
How to prepare your dog for birth
Take these steps to prepare for your dog’s birth.
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Know your dog’s due date and how many puppies will be born. Count 45 days from the date of breeding and schedule a veterinarian appointment. For X-ray inspection. This will allow your veterinarian to determine how many puppies your dog is carrying.
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Gradually switch to a diet that takes your dog’s growth into consideration. This is usually accomplished by switching to puppy food. You can choose puppy food Simply switch to puppy food instead of adult food, but with the same brand or line that you normally feed your dog.
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Set up a nursing box or space where your dog can feel safe and comfortable. You need a confined area where your dog can easily get in and out, but where you can also corral your puppy.
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Avoid dog day care facilities, dog parks, and other areas where your dog may be exposed to communicable diseases, and keep your dog away from other dogs. This is especially important during the last weeks of pregnancy and lactation, when your puppy’s immune system is immature.
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purchase rectal thermometer As the due date approaches, monitor your dog’s temperature daily. A dog’s normal body temperature is 101.5 °F. If your dog’s body temperature drops below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, labor may begin within 24 hours.
Signs your dog is ready to give birth
A drop in your dog’s body temperature is probably the first sign that she is about to give birth. This temperature drop only lasts about 8 hours, so it can be missed.
Once labor begins, you may experience a clear vaginal discharge.
Once labor begins, you may notice some unusual behavior, such as:
stages of childbirth
The birth process can be divided into three stages.
Stage 1: Onset of uterine contractions
The first stage of labor begins when the uterus begins to contract and the cervix dilates.
When this happens, the dog usually becomes restless. Your dog may experience any of the signs listed above or may actively build a nest by digging or shredding bedding.
Stage 2: Puppies are born
Once the first puppy is born, the second stage of labor begins.
Puppies are born covered in membranes, which can be chewed up by dogs. It is important to remove these membranes immediately to prevent your puppy from choking.
If your dog doesn’t clean puppies, you can use the following method. warm and clean towels Gently wipe away the membrane and rub the puppy to stimulate it.
After the first puppy is born, expect to have additional puppies every 30 to 60 minutes. The mother dog usually pushes for about 10 to 30 minutes before giving birth to the puppies.
It is also common for mothers to take a break during childbirth.
If your dog is straining for more than 30 minutes or taking breaks between puppies for more than 4 hours, there may be a problem and immediate veterinary attention is required.
Stage 3: Placenta expelled
The third stage of labor occurs at the same time as the second stage, as each pup’s placenta is expelled before the next pup is born.
Your dog may try to eat the placenta. In nature, this helps hide evidence of pups from predators. In a safe house, this is not necessary. You should try to clean the placenta before eating it.
Eating the placenta won’t harm your dog, but it’s not always beneficial and can cause diarrhea.
Potential problems during childbirth
Most dogs raise puppies on their own without any help, but sometimes things don’t go as planned.
Puppies may become stuck in the birth canal, or an underlying mineral imbalance may cause the mother to become too weak to continue giving birth. Dehydration, or complications of childbirth.
Situations that may require veterinary assistance include:
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Continue to push and strain aggressively for at least 30 minutes without giving birth to puppies.
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If labor stops for more than 4 hours before all puppies are delivered
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Becoming lethargic or unresponsive during or after childbirth
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Foul-smelling drainage from the vulva
It is normal for new mothers to have dark red, green, or brown drainage after giving birth. The drain should be odorless and gradually reduce over 8 weeks.
Excessive waste, especially if accompanied by an odor, should be seen by a veterinarian.
