Dogs are about to give birth after a gestation period of 65 to 75 days. Most of the time, there are no complications in giving birth to a dog. In order for everything to run smoothly, a few precautions should be taken. You can find all the information about giving birth in a dog in this article.
Preparing for the birth of the dog
Birth in a dog is usually relaxed. The bitch does not need any help. But a little support can’t hurt.
The litter camp
A litter camp should be set up for the bitch one to two weeks before the birth. The plastic tub is equipped with soft towels or sheets so that the bitch has a comfortable bed.
A room where the bitch feels safe and secure is a good place to set up the whelping camp. If she is usually fed in the kitchen, this is the right place in a quiet corner. The bitch’s bed should be placed in the immediate vicinity of the whelping bed.
So that the puppies cannot climb over the edge of the whelping area, there should be a higher edge. The bitch can always look after the puppies in the litter camp from her bed and take care of them.
Avoidance of stress
To ensure that the dog gives birth without complications, the days before the expected birth date should be as stress-free as possible. Visits from strangers during this time only mean stress for the bitch, who has to prepare for the birth. So that the bitch can get used to the whelping camp more quickly, it should be equipped with a favorite blanket and toys. If the bitch is physically and mentally in balance, the birth usually proceeds without complications.
How long does it take for the first puppy to be born?
The first puppy will be born one to two hours after the first contractions begin.
Aids in giving birth to the dog
If there are complications during the birth of the dog, the veterinarian’s emergency number should always be on hand. The vet should always be informed of the expected date for the birth so that he can be on site quickly. A car should be available to transport the bitch to the veterinary practice.
Aids for the care of the puppies
After giving birth, the bitch usually cuts the umbilical cord with her teeth and completely opens the egg membrane. If she does not do this, the umbilical cord must be tied off and cut with nail scissors.
Clean towels are needed to dry the newborn puppies and keep them warm. As the birth progresses, the puppies can be placed in a second basket. If the puppies have to be separated from the bitch for a short time, it is important that the little dogs stay warm. Shortly after birth, they are not yet able to regulate their body temperature. The heat is donated by the mother dog, or as a substitute from a hot water bottle. To prevent the puppies’ sharp claws from damaging the hot water bottle, it should be wrapped in soft towels.
Signs of birth in the dog
The date of birth can only be calculated approximately. It is therefore particularly important to pay attention to the signs before birth.
Behavior change
The food is no longer so interesting for the bitch. More frequent urination and defecation can be observed. The bitch seeks human contact. Since there is already a slight discharge running out of the vagina, she starts to lick this area again and again.
Signs just before birth
The bitch is restless. She keeps going into the whelping box and scratching at the ceiling. The breathing rate is increased, the bitch pants at times.
A few hours before birth in a dog, the internal body temperature drops by one degree. In order to be able to measure the drop in temperature in the period of 36 hours before birth, body temperature measurements should be carried out regularly one week before the calculated due date. This means that an average comparison value is available shortly before birth. Most of the time, the body temperature drops below 37 degrees Celsius. (The normal body temperature of the bitch is between 37.5 and 39 degrees Celsius)
How is birth announced in dogs?
At the end of the pregnancy, bitches start to visit the whelping box again and again and to build a nest. A few hours before the birth of a dog, the internal body temperature drops by one degree Celsius. The bitches are calm and panting.
The stages of birth in dogs
There are several phases in the birth of a dog:
- opening stage
- expulsion stage
- postpartum phase
The opening stage
The opening phase at birth in dogs lasts between six and 24 hours. The bitch is restless and begins to build a nest. The vulva swells. The first contractions of the uterus occur. The bitch trembles and pants. The mucus plug that blocks the cervix becomes more fluid.
The expulsion stage
The birth of the dog begins with the expulsion stage. Normally, the expulsion of the puppies takes between three and six hours. This stage can possibly extend to up to twelve hours. The abdominal press is clearly visible. If all goes well, the first puppy will be born within 60 minutes. Now the pups are born alternately from the right and left horns of the uterus. There is always a break between the births of the individual puppies, which can last one to two hours. In normal dog birth, the puppies are born in the breech position. But even with a head-first birth, there are usually no complications.
In most newborn dogs, the fetal membrane ruptures while they are still in the birth canal. If this is not the case, the bitch opens the membrane with her teeth. With each pup, amniotic fluid also leaks out of the birth canal. This is initially clear to slightly gray. If the first placenta detaches, admixtures of blood and a greenish color can be seen.
During the expulsion phase, the bitch should not be constantly forced to help. Constant human intervention causes stress. This interrupts labor activity.
How long does it take for a dog to give birth?
Once the expulsion phase has begun, the first pup will be born within one to four hours. After a break of 30 to 60 minutes, the next puppy is born. The birth of the small dogs takes several hours depending on the number of puppies.
The afterbirth phase
A quarter of an hour after the birth of a puppy, the placenta, the placenta, is expelled. The bitch eats the afterbirth immediately. The last afterbirth should be out of the birth canal no later than two hours after the end of the birth.
If not all afterbirths have been passed, the veterinarian must be called in any case. Remnants of the placenta remaining in the bitch’s uterus will cause a febrile infection of the uterus. Toxins enter the bloodstream which, if left untreated, can cause the bitch to die.
Assistance during birth in the dog
During childbirth, help should only be provided if it is really necessary and problems arise during the birth. Impatience is wrong at this time.
Support of the female
If the bitch is about to give birth to another puppy, support should usually be given to care for the puppies that have already been born. The puppies’ nose and airways may need to be cleared of the remains of the amniotic fluid. Rubbing against the line of fur stimulates the puppies to breathe. If the bitch has not cut the umbilical cord, it is tied off about three centimeters from the body and cut with nail scissors.
Complications at birth
If after the birth of the first pup no further pup is born within four hours, there is a labour-weakness. This can be caused by a lack of the hormone oxytocin. In this case, a veterinarian must be called in any case. Infusions of stimulating drugs are used to try to intensify the contractions again. If this is unsuccessful, a caesarean section must be performed. Certain breeds, such as the French bulldog, have a pelvis that is too small for puppies’ large heads. A caesarean section often has to be carried out here, since birth is not possible naturally.
If a puppy is stuck in the birth canal, the bitch will bleed profusely from the vagina and show signs of pain. Depending on the puppy’s position in the birth canal, it will be pulled out with veterinary help or a cesarean section will be performed.
If the bitch is deficient in calcium, the cervix will not dilate. The mucus plug remains solid and does not dissolve. Despite the drop in internal body temperature, labor does not begin. The puppies must be born by caesarean section.
If a smelly and bloody-green discharge from the vagina is observed during pregnancy, the veterinarian should check whether the placenta has already detached before birth.
Important: If you suspect complications, you should definitely contact a veterinarian.
How long does the opening phase last in dogs?
The opening phase at birth in dogs lasts between six and 24 hours.
The phase after birth in the dog
Puppies that have already had their umbilical cord cut begin to search for their mother’s teats as soon as other puppies are born. They are guided exclusively by heat and olfactory stimuli. The puppies’ eyes and ears are still completely closed at this point. The puppies drink the colostrum from the teats. This milk contains antibodies from the mother dog, which protect the puppies from infection for a few weeks.
Since the small dogs do not yet have their own functioning immune system at this point in time, they are dependent on the antibodies from their mother’s milk to stay healthy. After four to five days, the composition of breast milk changes. It no longer contains any antibodies. The content of protein and fat is increased
Complications can arise after childbirth
If too much calcium is excreted in the milk, the bitch’s blood will have too little calcium. Eclampsia occurs. The bitch is restless and suffers from convulsions. Eclampsia occurs primarily in small dog breeds. If the bitch has exerted herself very much during the birth, she will be weak as a result of low sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) in her blood. The muscles cramp. After the birth of the dog, it should be checked again and again whether all the puppies have been born. If dead puppies or remains of the placenta remain in the uterus, infections develop that can be fatal.
Hormonal imbalances can result in insufficient milk flow. If the amount of milk produced cannot be increased by treatment from the vet, the puppies must be reared on substitute milk.
The behavior of the bitch after birth
After giving birth, the bitch is weak from the exertion. She needs water and easily digestible food to regain her strength. The bitch must be given the opportunity to urinate and defecate outdoors. All cloths from the whelping box should be removed and replaced with new, soft, clean cloths.
If the puppies cannot find their mother’s teats, they can be attached to them. Over time, each puppy will recognize its favorite teat from which it prefers to drink.
The bitch begins to lovingly care for the puppies as soon as she has strengthened herself. She warms the little dogs with her body and makes sure everyone drinks. By licking their bodies with their tongues, the bitch stimulates the puppies’ digestion.
In order for the bitch to have enough energy to produce milk and care for the puppies, she needs a high-energy feed.
