It's really special when your own dog has puppies – and for us as dog owners, it's probably just as exciting as it is for the animal itself. It's important that you, as the companion of the expectant dog mom, always remain calm – and have the emergency number of your vet handy.
A few days before the due date, you should have completed all preparations for a smooth birth. Prepare a whelping box where the mother and puppies can spend the first few days and weeks after the birth. Get the dog used to the box before the birth. You can furnish it with a favorite blanket, pillows, and old towels. Everything should be washable and puppy-proof. The box should be large enough to give the puppies space and high enough so that they are "framed" for long enough and cannot crawl away.
Especially if this is your first birth together, make a list of the most important points that you can refer to on the day of the birth. Don't forget to include the phone number of your vet. You may need to call them if complications arise during the excitement of the birth.
Watch for signs of labor in the days leading up to the birth. Your dog should be physically and mentally stable. This will ensure that the conditions are right for an uncomplicated birth. You should also measure and check your dog's body temperature rectally on a regular basis. It will drop around 12 to 24 hours before the birth. The temperature will then rise again as labor begins.
The so-called opening phase lasts about six to twelve hours. During this phase, the cervix opens and a mucous secretion is discharged. Sometimes the dog becomes restless and anxious during this phase and looks for a suitable place. She may even vomit. The first contractions are already working on the amniotic sac, but are usually not yet clearly noticeable to us.
This is followed by the expulsion phase. The contractions start in earnest. The mother begins to push. The first puppy is pushed into the birth canal. The amniotic sac may already rupture in the womb. The puppy is pushed out and the mother will free it by, for example, biting through the rest of the amniotic sac. She will bite through the umbilical cord. She then licks the puppy intensively to stimulate breathing and circulation and remove any remaining mucus from its coat.
If a puppy remains stuck in the amniotic sac outside the bitch for more than a few minutes, human assistance is required to prevent the puppy from suffocating. But be careful not to intervene too quickly. Some dog mothers do not like it when you interfere too much. This may cause the birth process to stall and put the unborn puppies at risk. Then rub the little puppy gently with a towel to stimulate vital bodily functions.
In a normal birth, a dog gives birth to her puppies one after the other. The process repeats itself. She cuts the umbilical cord of each puppy. In multiple births, the puppies are usually born at intervals of 30 minutes. However, it can sometimes be only a few minutes – or up to several hours. However, a normal birth is usually complete after 24 hours. If you are concerned about complications, do not hesitate to contact your vet.
The afterbirth should be expelled after each puppy is born. In most cases, the bitch will eat it straight away. Make sure that the number of afterbirths matches the number of puppies. If not, contact your vet immediately.
After birth, the puppies should suckle as soon as possible and drink the very important colostrum. This first milk is rich in maternal antibodies and strengthens the puppies' immune system.
Your dog needs rest for herself and her puppies after giving birth. Good food and fresh water are essential.
If you notice that your dog has a greenish-brown discharge in the first 72 hours after giving birth, this may indicate a problem. If the animal is also apathetic, has lost its appetite or has a fever, consult your vet immediately.
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