Looking for our pets to get pregnant is a big responsibility. If your dog is going to have puppies, you need to know what to do to help her and her babies! We have prepared a guide for you to know how to help a dog to give birth and how to care for both the mother and the young before, during and after childbirth. It is a delicate and complex stage, but also very beautiful! We start ...
How to help a dog give birth
Is your dog already in the last days of her pregnancy? You have to be prepared! Watch your dog for these symptoms to know when the birth is imminent:
- In the last days of childbirth, The breasts of the dog are more pink and swollen, preparing milk for their puppies. Watch out! If blood comes out, they are too swollen or have a bruised color, your dog will probably have mastitis, consult your veterinarian.
- The vulva will be more dilated.
- Body temperature drops when labor is approaching. Take your bitch's temperature a couple of times a day to control it!
- When childbirth is imminent, The dog feels nervous, restless, gasps and barks.
- In addition, contractions will begin. When you see that your belly has contractions, bring it to the nest that you have prepared for childbirth and stay with it, but not too close. Bitches usually prefer privacy.
- Usually, if all goes well, your dog will not need your intervention, she will be able to break the sack that protects the puppies and take care of herself. But if after a few minutes you don't get it, you'll have to help: Break the bag with clean hands, clean the liquid that remains in your snout and rub it so you start breathing.
- Always remember to offer your dog and her puppies a Warm and comfortable environment, as well as very clean.
It is very normal that in litters, especially in the first ones, dead dogs are born or they die as soon as they are born. You must be prepared, it is likely that one of the puppies will happen.
Possible complications of canine delivery
Even if you know how to help a dog give birth, There are times when childbirth can be complicated. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should notify your veterinarian immediately:
- Your dog has been in labor for more than thirty minutes but no puppy is born yet. They may be dead or poorly placed, so veterinary intervention is necessary.
- A puppy has already been born but an hour has passed without the next being born. It is a relatively frequent problem called uterine inertia.
- The dog expels blood or pus.
- The bitch has muscle spasms or weakness, pale gums, hypothermia or signs of shock.
The most common is that the deliveries go without any problem, but you must bear in mind that in certain occasions this type of thing happens. Count on the help of a veterinarian, don't just face the birth of your pet!
Letting your pets get pregnant is a big responsibility. If you are not going to be willing to bear the expenses and responsibilities that it requires, it is better to sterilize your pet!
How to know if a dog is going to give birth
Female dogs act very differently from people when they are in labor, so don't expect something loud to warn you that the puppies are coming.
As we understand that you have doubts about how to know if a dog is going to give birth, here are some indicative signs that the birth is about to happen:
- Dig on the ground. Although not all bitches act in the same way, this will be a practically common behavior in almost all bitches, since digging into the ground will allow them to have a warm and cozy place in which to place all their puppies without fear of escape .
- The dog expels milk through the breasts. When a female dog is about to give birth, it is very common for her to expel milk through her breasts, letting her see so she is ready to give birth.
- Loss of appetite At the point near to give birth, the puppies will be moving a lot inside the mother and causing her nausea, making it possible for your dog to lose her appetite.
- Vomiting. These can also be generated by the movements of the puppies. There is nothing to worry about, just let her rest and give her pampering so she doesn't feel lonely.
- It will be relaxed. When the dog is about to give birth she will lie down, she will be very calm and it is possible that she exhales not very deep gasps. Having water nearby is important, as hydration is a key point at this important time.
How can you help your dog to give birth
When the time comes when you are able to identify all the signs that show that your dog is going to have its puppies, it is time to lend a hand. How can you do it?
- Prepare a quiet place for her. A few weeks before preparing an intimate place where you can be quiet with a pleasant atmosphere and which, if you have other pets at home, they can not access. Show her the place and when you see any of the aforementioned signs, help her get there.
- During the deliveryYou should not intervene unless necessary. The mother will expel the puppies, you should not worry if they leave the tail or head, both postures are normal. The mother will clean the placenta and chew the umbilical cord.
When your help is necessary
- If for whatever reason the mother has not been able to break the bag in which each puppy is wrapped, you must intervene to do so. Break it gently and place the puppy back next to his mother.
- Another time you can help is when the mother prepares to lick her pups to clean them of placenta You can collaborate if there are many animals cleaning them with a very soft and slightly damp cloth.
- Dogs are born every 30 minutes approximately, but if you see that after that time none comes out and yet you are sure that there are more puppies inside, call the vet. If, on the contrary, after expelling all the animals the dog continues to have contractions, the presence of the veterinarian will also be necessary.
- Watch the puppies. A puppy dies a few minutes or a few hours after birth is common. Mom can't do much to help him, but there you could help. If you notice that one of the babies is not breathing, clean his mouth and rub his body gently to see if you can make him live again. If it is not possible, remove it from the litter so that the mother does not eat it or that the other puppies come to smell it.
When everything is over, watch that the dog does not reject any of the puppies and feed them all equally. Keep giving the new mom good nutrients so she stays strong and can take care of her babies.
