July2011_DAYBORO VET NEWS
Having Puppies?
Dogs whelp (deliver pups) between 57 and 72 days after natural mating. Several matings may occur, with the same or different dogs, during the bitch’s heat period.
You can even have a litter of pups who have different fathers.
Is my bitch ready to whelp?
Most people notice their dogs mammary glands (boobs) become enlarged and some dogs may even drip milk. This does not happen in all dogs. DO NOT milk your bitch, that can lead to lower colostrum (the first milk the pups need for antibodies and a good start in life), mastitis and in some cases cause eclampsia (milk fever/ hypocalcaemia) which is life threatening. Calcium supplements should NOT be given before whelping as this can also lead to eclampsia.
Dogs will often “nest” just before birth. They crawl in cupboards, under houses, in boxes- just finding a confined and small space to whelp. Provide your bitch with a box (even cardboard) and some old towels or bedding (newspapers) for her to scratch around in and actually nest.
What can I expect to see?
Stage I labour
Lasts 12-24 hours
You may see: restlessness, vomiting and change in behaviour. (nesting as above)
Contractions start now but these are not visible from the outside.
The cervix dilates.
No pushing/straining yet.
Stage II labour
Can see abdominal effort – pushing or straining
A pup should appear within 2 hours of this stage starting, then there is a wide variety of things that can happen. Some dogs just get down to it and have pup after pup, others may then just wander off into the yard and wander around for a bit before coming back and starting again. What you need to look for WITHOUT DISTURBING THE BITCH is if she is straining for over half an hour and making NO progress. That is when you need to ring the vet. Also remember that they will eat the placentas and membranes around the pups. This contains hormones that assist the uterus getting back to normal so is a natural and essential part of whelping.
A mucous vaginal discharge is usually normal.
Green, red or black discharge is normal when the placenta starts to come away, so a pup should be born within 2 hours. Your bitch will continue to have some discharge for up to 2 weeks after the birth. This is ONLY a problem if the bitch goes off her food, runs a temperature or the discharge is creamy and VERY smelly. You can always ring the vet and have a chat if concerned.
Remember
You can upset the natural course of things if you are overly attentive or anxious, especially in maiden bitches. They sense your mood and can become anxious themselves or be more concerned with what you are doing and not concentrating on birthing their babies.
If you are anxious it is better to ring the vets and have a chat to them about any of your concerns. We are always happy to help.
Is my bitch ready to whelp?
Most people notice their dogs mammary glands (boobs) become enlarged and some dogs may even drip milk. This does not happen in all dogs. DO NOT milk your bitch, that can lead to lower colostrum (the first milk the pups need for antibodies and a good start in life), mastitis and in some cases cause eclampsia (milk fever/ hypocalcaemia) which is life threatening. Calcium supplements should NOT be given before whelping as this can also lead to eclampsia.
Dogs will often “nest” just before birth. They crawl in cupboards, under houses, in boxes- just finding a confined and small space to whelp. Provide your bitch with a box (even cardboard) and some old towels or bedding (newspapers) for her to scratch around in and actually nest.
What can I expect to see?
Stage I labour
Lasts 12-24 hours
You may see: restlessness, vomiting and change in behaviour. (nesting as above)
Contractions start now but these are not visible from the outside.
The cervix dilates.
No pushing/straining yet.
Stage II labour
Can see abdominal effort – pushing or straining
A pup should appear within 2 hours of this stage starting, then there is a wide variety of things that can happen. Some dogs just get down to it and have pup after pup, others may then just wander off into the yard and wander around for a bit before coming back and starting again. What you need to look for WITHOUT DISTURBING THE BITCH is if she is straining for over half an hour and making NO progress. That is when you need to ring the vet. Also remember that they will eat the placentas and membranes around the pups. This contains hormones that assist the uterus getting back to normal so is a natural and essential part of whelping.
A mucous vaginal discharge is usually normal.
Green, red or black discharge is normal when the placenta starts to come away, so a pup should be born within 2 hours. Your bitch will continue to have some discharge for up to 2 weeks after the birth. This is ONLY a problem if the bitch goes off her food, runs a temperature or the discharge is creamy and VERY smelly. You can always ring the vet and have a chat if concerned.
Remember
You can upset the natural course of things if you are overly attentive or anxious, especially in maiden bitches. They sense your mood and can become anxious themselves or be more concerned with what you are doing and not concentrating on birthing their babies.
If you are anxious it is better to ring the vets and have a chat to them about any of your concerns. We are always happy to help.
Dayboro Vets.
