Puppies – A Guide to Supporting Dogs During Childbirth

Puppy giving birth – Signs that a dog is about to give birth, requirements for dog owners about dog care, instructions on how to help mother dogs give birth more easily

Puppy Giving Birth - A Guide to Supporting Dogs During Childbirth
Puppy Giving Birth – A Guide to Supporting Dogs During Childbirth

Dogs giving birth and helping dogs give birth need to pay attention to many things. If you have a pregnant dog in your house, you must be wondering about the signs that the dog is about to give birth or the necessary requirements for the dog owner to prepare for the puppy to give birth. The following experiences will help you minimize the possible risks to your pet during this sensitive time. Today we will teach you how to support your dog during the birthing period to help lovely dogs!

Important requirements for dog owners when a dog is about to give birth

Grasp the date of mating

You must understand this important day and understand the signs of the dog about to give birth so that you can prepare psychologically as well as the tools to help your dog “cross the dance floor” safely.

Watch for signs of the impending birth

Watch for signs of impending calving and report to your veterinarian for an examination and consultation.

Managing the mother dog

Be sure to manage the mother dog when there are signs of a suspected birth before 24 hours, in case the mother dog abandons the baby and the owner does not know how to deliver the baby.

Prepare before the dog gives birth

Prepare the litter, antiseptic, blood pins, clean cotton towels, clean the laying area, etc. in the absence of the veterinarian’s support.

Using oxytocin injections must be prescribed by a Veterinarian, giving birth to dogs

Any abnormal signs: excessive bleeding, inability to give birth, breech position, weakened mother, etc., must be reported to a veterinarian for an emergency examination. 

Disinfect tools

The most important thing in this stage is to disinfect the tools, make sure the objects involved in this process have been disinfected with 70% alcohol or 5% alcohol and wear medical gloves before performing. please act.

Steps to prepare to deliver a dog
Steps to prepare to deliver a dog

Puppy giving birth – Steps to prepare to deliver a dog

  • 24 hours before laying, the milk has a characteristic white color. Dogs eat less, refuse to eat, belly prolapse, and abdominal muscles relax and soften (abdominal drop). There is a reflex to urinate repeatedly (diarrhea, urge to urinate). If the dog has eaten before, it may vomit food due to the compression of the uterus into the stomach.

  • From 12-2 hours before giving birth for the dog: Check the body temperature (rectally), the temperature drops from 36.7 to 37.5°C. The dog may shiver, especially in the cold or wet season. Dogs walk, stand restlessly, have reflexes to scratch to find a nest, or huddle in a dark, quiet place. Eyes wide open looking at the owner begging, not wanting to leave the owner. The vulva is swollen and edematous, with a clear discharge.

Puppy giving birth – Know the signs of about to give birth

  • The dog’s nipples will become larger as the due date approaches due to the coming milk. This sign can appear a few days before birth or as soon as labor begins, so watch closely.

  • The dog’s vulva will begin to expand a few days before birth.

  • Your dog’s temperature will also drop a few degrees around 24 hours before birth. Take the mother dog’s body temperature every morning during the last week or two of pregnancy to know her normal body temperature. To take the dog’s temperature, lubricate the rectal thermometer and insert the tip of the thermometer about 1 cm deep into the rectum. Let stand for three minutes to get accurate readings. The normal temperature of the mother dog will be between 38.3 and 39.2 degrees Celsius. If the dog’s temperature drops a few degrees, this is a sign that the dog will give birth in the next 24 hours or less.

  • When it’s about to give birth, your dog may pant, whine, walk around as if he’s upset, or hide. Dogs may also refuse to eat and drink, but make sure you provide enough water for them.

Dog gives birth – Instructions on how to support when a dog gives birth

Instructions on how to help give birth to dogs easily
Instructions on how to help give birth to dogs easily

Wait for the dog’s uterine contractions first 

You can easily tell when your dog is in labor: contractions will appear like ripples on the dog’s abdomen. If you notice contractions and have a premonition that your dog is about to give birth, lead the dog into the litter area and monitor it from a distance. Many dogs will give birth at night for an absolute quiet. You don’t have to intervene, but you should start to notice the timing of contractions and the birth of your puppy.

Monitoring the birth process

You should observe from a moderate distance and do not engage unless necessary. You will notice her contractions becoming more frequent and/or more pronounced around the time of birth. Maybe the dog will get up, which is fine, don’t force him to lie down.

Pay attention to each birth

When your dog starts to give birth, you need to closely observe each birth and watch out for signs if there is a problem. Puppies may put their head or tail out first; Both positions are normal. The mother dog will yawn and whine when the puppies are born, which is to be expected. But if the mother dog begins to exhibit excessive or unusual pain, call your veterinarian right away.

Usually, one pup will appear thirty minutes or more apart after about 10 to 30 minutes of intense contractions, (although even the time the mother gives birth to puppies can be as far apart as 4 hours). Call the vet if no dog shows up within 30-60 minutes of strong contractions. In addition, you should also contact your doctor if it has been more than four hours since the mother dog last gave birth to puppies and you know there are still puppies that have not yet come out.

Monitor every puppy born

While it’s not necessary to intervene, keep an eye on each puppy that is born and watch out for signs of problems when the puppies are born. When the mother dog gives birth, the puppies will lie in an amniotic sac; The mother dog will tear the water wrap, chew the umbilical cord, and then lick the puppy. It is best to let the mother dog do her job without getting involved, as this is part of the bonding experience between the mother and the puppies.

However, if the mother dog does not tear the amniotic sac within two to four minutes, you need to gently open the amniotic sac with clean hands. Clear the fluid from the puppy’s nose and mouth, then gently rub the dog vigorously to stimulate breathing.

Make sure the puppy’s temperature is warm, don’t intervene unless you notice a problem. Neonatal mortality (such as stillbirth or a puppy that lives only a few hours or days) is a common occurrence associated with most mammals that give birth, so be prepared for this possibility. If you see a newborn puppy that is not breathing, try to clear its mouth and stimulate it by rubbing the viewer to see if the dog is breathing.

Summary

Above is how to support the dog during the birthing period that we collected. Ensure the health of your dog family by learning useful information to help you get ready to welcome new creatures into your home.