The best way to make sure your dog is okay after giving birth to her puppies is to find out about how dogs give birth. Remember that these animals have been breeding for thousands of years. While this is a natural process, there is something you can do to help. The main recommendation is to take her to the vet after giving birth to make sure she has given birth to all the puppies.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Giving Necessary Care Immediately After Childbirth
Step 1. Clean the dog with a warm, damp cloth
Make sure you get rid of any blood, amniotic fluid, and fecal matter. Good hygiene reduces the risk of bacterial infections after childbirth.
- You will likely notice some loss of fluids, called lochi, for several weeks after the puppies are born. It is a natural phenomenon and depends on the wound caused by the abruption of the placenta. Under healthy conditions, the lochi should not give off any kind of odor and range from green-brown to blood red.
- If the dog has not cleaned the puppies on her own within minutes of birth, you should remove the amniotic sac residue from the muzzle and nostrils with a clean, damp cloth. Then take them back to their mother right away.
- If she seems disinterested in cleaning puppies, you may need to massage them with a clean cloth to encourage them to breathe.
Step 2. Remove all soiled laundry from the area where she gave birth
It is best to take the dog out to do his business while another person replaces the used cloths with clean, dry ones.
- Keep changing them regularly if they get dirty so the area stays clean.
- Keep a supply of clean linen near the birth area for easy access.
Step 3. Allow the dog to rest
It is likely that they will doze off for a few hours after giving birth while the puppies suck milk from their udders or sleep. When she wakes up, she should be alert and interested in her young.
- If there is no sign of participation, it is likely that he has contracted an infection. Check for distressing symptoms, such as moans, dilated pupils, or foul-smelling discharge. In this case, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Even though he may be sleeping more than usual, you should be on the lookout for any signs of discomfort or restlessness.
Step 4. Make sure the dog has plenty of water available during and immediately after giving birth
If she doesn't want to drink, try offering her chicken broth
Part 2 of 3: Knowing Which Symptoms to Watch Out for After Childbirth
Step 1. Monitor your dog's health closely during the first few weeks after giving birth
Even if she sleeps more than usual, when she is awake she should have a lively look, but also a certain appetite.
- Feed her several times a day instead of giving her one or two large meals. You may want to increase the amount of food a few weeks before giving birth and continue for several weeks after the puppies are born. It is not unusual for a nursing dog to eat his normal food ration 3-4 times a day.
- During this time, many vets recommend feeding your dog puppy food due to its high caloric value. You will likely need to gradually introduce this into his diet, along with the food he normally consumes, for best results.
- Give the dog some special treats to whet her appetite. Consider giving her ricotta, eggs, liver, or other foods with a high nutritional content.
- Make sure she always has easy access to fresh water. Add chicken broth to dry kibble to balance your fluid intake.
Step 2. Watch for signs of infection
The dog may have a slightly high temperature in the first 24 to 48 hours after giving birth. It is normal for this to occur, but this increase does not have to be accompanied by the symptoms of any disease.
Some signs of infection that may present in the mother include: restlessness, disinterest in puppies, foul-smelling discharge, dilated pupils. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately
Step 3. Check the mammary glands twice a day to see if they are healthy
Under normal conditions, a lactating dog's mammary glands - her nipples - should be soft and swollen as they need to produce milk. If they are swollen or red, they could indicate the presence of an infection (mastitis).
- If you feel the dog is avoiding breastfeeding, check the mammary glands for signs of infection. Mastitis is a bacterial infection of the mammary glands that can develop during breastfeeding but is easily cured by administering antibiotics. Contact your vet for assistance.
- Try to control your dog's glands by squeezing them. If your nipple reacts with pain when you touch it or if you notice that the nipple is hard and / or hot to the touch, it could be an infection.
- The milk should be white, have a uniform consistency and be free of lumps. Symptoms of mastitis include pink or yellow milk production.
Step 4. Look out for symptoms of metritis during the first 24-48 hours after giving birth
Metritis is inflammation of the uterus that can be caused by failure to deliver the placenta or by trauma that occurs during childbirth.
- Signs of metritis include: fever, foul-smelling discharge, loss of appetite, decreased interest in puppies.
- If you notice these symptoms, see your vet immediately.
Step 5. Check for signs of eclampsia during the first few weeks after giving birth
Eclampsia ("milk fever") is due to calcium deficiency and can lead to muscle spasms, convulsions and even death.
- Symptoms of eclampsia include: restlessness, muscle tremor, weakness and dilated pupils.
- If you notice these symptoms in your dog, seek veterinarian assistance immediately.
Part 3 of 3: Helping the Dog Take Care of His Puppies
Step 1. Watch closely to make sure the dog is attentive to her puppies
During the first week he will spend most of his time with them. If she is healthy, she will show interest in the babies and will be happy to feed them.
- Make sure the puppies have a clean, safe place to be nursed. Make sure your blankets and cloths are clean and dry. Move the kennel to a quiet and uncrowded spot in the house.
- Keep the kennel where the puppies are with their mother warm. The ideal temperature should be around 29 ° C during the first week of a puppy's life. If the house is warmer, turn on a fan to cool the room. If it's colder, place a heater nearby to make sure the puppies stay warm.
- Shorten the puppy's nails to prevent them from scratching the mother.
Step 2. Take action during weaning
Around the third week the puppies will start licking liquids. At this point weaning can start. Give a breast milk replacer once a day. In this way they will learn to ingest liquid foods, as well as enrich their nutritional intake. After two days, start combining the milk replacer with the puppy food to create a softer meal.
- Continue to gradually increase the amount of solid food over time. The firmness of the portion should vary from the consistency of the soup to that of the semolina to that of the oatmeal in about a week.
- The puppies will continue to take their mother's milk until weaning. Towards the sixth week, you should give soft and moist foods, but also kibble. Weaning should be completed by the eighth week.
Step 3. Offer stimulating toys
The puppies will become more aware of their surroundings starting in the third week. Teeth will start to grow and the urge to chew will appear. You can help them with toys that stimulate their attention and play skills.
Get puppies used to the noises that are part of everyday life. Get them to meet new people, one at a time, so they can play together. At the same time, try turning on the radio by placing it next to them for 5 minutes at a time
Warnings
- Among the signs of discomfort or symptoms of infection that a dog may show after giving birth are: restlessness, disinterest in puppies, foul-smelling secretions, dilated pupils. If at least one occurs, see your vet immediately.
- If you have any questions or concerns, contact your vet.
