When your dog starts giving birth, her natural instincts take over and you shouldn't intervene at all. However, if your dog is pregnant, you should know what to expect during labor and how to help her if needed. Some purebred specimens may have problems with giving birth; for example, if you own a bulldog or a pug, it is vital that you are prepared. In any case, regardless of the breed of your dog, remember to discuss this with the vet and bring the new mother to him for a check-up.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Take the dog to the vet
If pregnancy is planned, have her examined before mating. Bring her back for another check-up when she's been pregnant for about 30 days. If it's not a planned pregnancy, then see your vet as soon as you notice your four-legged friend's "pregnant state".
- If you have decided to have her mate, you should wait until she is at least 24 months of age. At this point she is mature enough to deal with any veterinary problems that may arise.
- Some breeds are more prone to genetic diseases such as dental problems, patella dislocation, hip dysplasia, spine abnormalities, allergies, heart disease and behavioral problems. It is very important to know these risks before breeding your dog.
Step 2. Be very careful about giving her vaccines or drug therapies when she is pregnant
Unless your vet decided, you shouldn't give her any medicine that could be dangerous in pregnancy. You shouldn't even vaccinate her.
- Your faithful friend should have been vaccinated prior to pregnancy so that she can pass antibodies to the puppies. If not, do not provide while pregnant, as some vaccines can be dangerous for developing fetuses.
- If you are using a flea product, make sure it is also safe for pregnant animals.
- Check to see if the dog is wormed or is being treated, otherwise she may move on to parasitic puppies such as roundworms, hookworms or heartworms.
Step 3. Know the normal course of pregnancy
The average canine gestation period lasts from 58 to 68 days. Try to figure out exactly what the day of conception might be so that you can organize yourself in time for the birth.
- Around the 45th day of pregnancy, the vet may have the expectant mother X-rayed to find out the number of puppies.
- You may notice a different behavior than usual in the dog: she begins to retreat, to hide and to look for sheltered places. This is completely normal and you have to expect it to happen.
Step 4. Establish an adequate diet in collaboration with your veterinarian
Most pregnant bitches who are not overweight should consume puppy food during the second half or last third of gestation.
- Puppy food is usually more caloric than normal adult food, and the new mother needs it to pass nutrients to the fetus.
- Do not supplement your diet with extra calcium, unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian. Dairy fever, or eclampsia, is quite common in small dogs and occurs a few weeks after giving birth. This disease is much more likely to arise if the animal has been given too much calcium during pregnancy.
Step 5. Allow the vet to X-ray your dog to check the puppies
The doctor will be able to count the number of fetuses from the 45th day of pregnancy.
- If your faithful friend is large, like a German Shepherd or a Labrador, she may have as many as 10 puppies; it is completely normal.
- If, on the other hand, it is a small breed specimen, such as a chihuahua or a shih tzu, then 3-4 puppies are already a lot.
- If your vet can only see one or two puppies, be aware that there may be problems at the time of delivery. The presence of few fetuses means bigger babies, to the point of not being able to pass through the vaginal canal naturally. In that case it is worth planning a caesarean delivery.
- Although a planned caesarean section is quite expensive, it is still less economically demanding than an emergency surgery. So move accordingly.
Step 6. Prepare the "nest", which is the area where your dog will give birth to puppies
About a week before the due date, place a box in a quiet, private place where the puppies can be born.
- Make the pet feel comfortable by placing a comfortable box in an area away from other pets living in the house.
- A box or wading pool filled with old blankets or towels is just fine.
Step 7. Find a home that welcomes puppies
As soon as you discover that the dog is pregnant, regardless of whether the pregnancy is planned or not, you need to find a new home for the newborns.
- If you do not find anyone who wants to take the puppies, know that you will have to keep them with you, until someone wants to adopt them. Thousands of dogs end up crowding the shelters due to irresponsible owners who have made them mate without first finding a home for the unborn. Don't become part of the problem too.
- Be prepared to live with babies for at least 8 weeks before handing them over to their new owners. In some states, such as California, it is illegal to adopt a puppy younger than 8 weeks of age.
- To make sure the animals find a good home, organize a selection process and ask many questions of the candidate families. In addition, it is worth asking for a small fee for each dog: this way you are sure that the new owner is really interested in adopting a puppy.
Step 8. Purchase infant formula in advance
Newborns need to eat every 2-4 hours. Having this product on hand allows you to intervene immediately if there are problems with breastfeeding.
You can buy formula milk at most pet stores
Step 9. In the three weeks before the birth, isolate the new mother
To protect her and the puppies from canine diseases such as herpes, make sure she does not come into contact with other dogs in the three weeks prior to the expected delivery date.
In addition, it is highly recommended to avoid that the dog has contact with other dogs in the three weeks after giving birth
Part 2 of 3: During Labor
Step 1. Check carefully for signs of labor
There will be many symptoms that will help you understand that the birth is imminent; monitor them with great care to be prepared for the fateful moment.
- You will notice that your furry friend's nipples will be bigger due to the milky rise. This could happen within a few days or when labor has already begun, so be very careful.
- The vulva will also be much more relaxed in the previous days.
- In the 24 hours before giving birth, the dog's temperature will drop by about one degree. Check her temperature every morning for at least a week or two during pregnancy to get an idea of what the normal values are. To measure her fever, lubricate a rectal thermometer and insert it about 1.5 cm. Leave it in place for about 3 minutes to get an accurate value. The normal temperature of a female dog should be around 38-39 ° C. If you notice that it has subsided a degree or more, know that it will go into labor within 24 hours.
- In the early stages of giving birth, the animal may pant, yelp, hide or move non-stop. They probably won't want to eat, but make water available to them even if they don't want to drink.
Step 2. Check for contractions
When one occurs, it will be easy to notice it because it will look like a wave that crosses the animal's belly.
If you notice contractions and suspect that labor has begun, make sure that the dog can access her "nest" for the birth and monitor her from a distance. Many animals give birth at night for even more privacy. You don't have to wander around her, but start checking the timing of contractions and paying attention to the stages of birth
Step 3. Monitor the delivery
Remember to observe from a respectful safe distance and do not intervene unless necessary.
You will find that the contractions will become more frequent and stronger as the birth approaches. The dog may stand up, which is normal: do not force her to lie down
Step 4. Be careful with every birth
When the birth begins and the puppies come out, check for signs of any problems or complications.
- Puppies can be born both breech and cephalic, both ways are normal.
- Mom may whine or whine when a puppy comes out, you have to expect that. However, if your four-legged friend shows excessive or abnormal pain, call your vet right away.
- Usually a puppy is born about every 30 minutes, after 10-30 minutes of effort (although it may take 4 hours). Call your vet if, after 30 to 60 minutes of strong contractions, no kittens have been born yet. Also, contact your doctor if 4 hours have passed since the last born puppy and you know there should be more.
Step 5. Check each baby after delivery
Check that there are no problems, even if, probably, there will be no need for your intervention.
- Each newborn will be in his or her amniotic sac; mom should break it, bite the umbilical cord and lick the puppy. The best thing to do is to let nature take its course without any human intervention, because this process is part of the formation of the mother-child bond.
- If Mom doesn't break the sack within 2-4 minutes, you should take care of it. Work with clean hands. Remove all clear fluids from the puppy's nose and mouth and then rub it vigorously but gently to stimulate breathing.
- Make sure the puppies stay warm but, again, don't intervene if you don't notice a problem. Neonatal death (puppies that are stillborn or survive only a few hours after delivery) is a relatively common occurrence in mammals that have multiple pregnancies, so be prepared for this possibility. If you notice that a puppy is not breathing, try to clean his mouth and stimulate him by rubbing his body to try to revive him.
Part 3 of 3: After giving birth
Step 1. Continue to feed the new mum high calorie food
Have her eat a calorie-rich diet (with puppy food, for example), so that she is well fed while breastfeeding.
It is essential for both mothers and babies to receive adequate nutrition. In this way the dog recovers quickly and the puppies grow correctly
Step 2. Check the mom in the weeks after giving birth
Dogs are susceptible to some diseases and complications after giving birth to puppies.
- Look for symptoms of endometritis (inflammation of the uterus) which include fever, foul-smelling discharge, lack of appetite, decreased milk production and lack of interest in puppies.
- Pay attention to the signs of eclampsia: nervousness, irritability, disinterest in puppies, stiff and sore legs. If left untreated, eclampsia evolves with muscle spasms, inability to stand on the legs, fever and convulsions.
- Pay attention to symptoms related to mastitis (inflammation of the breasts), which involves red, hard and painful mammary glands. The mother may prevent the puppies from eating, but you should force them to do so. Breastfeeding helps to drain the infection without harming the newborns.
Step 3. Expect everything to go smoothly, but be prepared for complications
Check that the mother does not stop caring for the puppies and that she does not show signs of illness after giving birth.
