Guidelines for Pet Parents During Maternity Care in Bitches –
From the time of mating, many dogs show behavioural changes. Most develop an unusual sweet and loving disposition and demand more attention. However, some may become uncharacteristically irritable. Some experience a few days of vomiting (‘morning sickness’), followed by the development of a ravenous appetite which persists throughout the pregnancy.
Prepare a whelping box that is large enough for the bitch to move around in, with sides that are high enough so the pups cannot climb out, but low enough that she can get out and if necessary you can reach in to give assistance. Get the bitch accustomed to it well before the birth. 2.5cm thick of newspaper makes good bedding during whelping with the top layers being moved as they become soiled. The box must be free from draughts and placed in a quiet, low traffic area (especially if she is easily stressed). Clip any long hair away from the vulva and mammary glands.
Whelping is the process of a dog giving birth to puppies. Most dogs are capable of whelping on their own without difficulties. But a close eye on your dog throughout her late pregnancy and labour is always recommended. Having a good idea of what’s normal for a dog in labour will allow us to spot signs of trouble early.
How Long Are Dogs Pregnant?
Dogs are pregnant for approximately 63 days, or about two months and this may be a bit inaccurate. This being said, if your dog is a couple of days over her due date you should get her checked out by the veterinarian. By the end of the second month and the start of the third, the puppies are ready to be born, which means you need to be prepared for their delivery.
Determining pregnancy
Roughly halfway (approximately 4 weeks after conception) through the pregnancy your dog should receive a check-up from a veterinarian who will confirm pregnancy via palpation and/or urine and blood testing. Ultrasound or x-ray can also be used in the later term. A radiograph can be carried out 3 weeks prior to the delivery to count the puppies. A number of breeders like to have this done so that they can be prepared for the number of puppies the dog is expecting.
The time between ovulation and the birth of puppies is between 59 and 65 days (63 days in a large number of cases). The time of mating may not exactly coincide with the time of ovulation and so the time between mating and the birth of the pups can vary much more between 56 and 72 days.
Signs of pregnancy include:
- Discharge from the vulva, starting about one month after mating.
- After about five weeks of pregnancy, the bitch’s weight will start to increase. She is likely to gain 15-25% of her original body weight (depending on the number of puppies) during the remainder of the term.
- During the second half of pregnancy, the bitch’s appetite will increase.
- From day 40 onwards, the bitch’s teats may become more prominent and the mammary glands will enlarge as they fill with milk.
- Changes in behaviour
- Morning sickness
Feeding
Feed your pregnant and nursing dog a diet that is highly digestible and contains good-quality ingredients which are higher in nutrients (e.g. a puppy diet). No food increase is required until around 42 days of pregnancy. Five to six weeks into her pregnancy, she will need 30-50% more food than normal to provide sufficient nutrients to her puppies. Give her small and frequent meals to help her eat the amount of food she requires; the growing pups inside her will take up much more room and this will lead to her becoming full more quickly. If you use a good quality, high protein food, supplements will not be necessary.
Royal Canin Starter Mother & Babydog Dry Adult & Puppy Dog Food
- Perfecting for weaning puppies
- Meets the needs of the mother and supports both immune systems
- Contains essential nutrients including protein, rice, animal fats, vegetable protein
- Specially manufactured kibble for smaller mouths
- Supports digestive health and immune systems
Hill’s Science Plan Puppy Healthy Development
- specially developed for medium-sized dogs less than a year old
- contains added omega-3 and DHA from fish oil to support joint and bone health
- antioxidants help to support a growing immune system
- nutritionally balanced
- easy to digest
Canine Choice Puppy
- 60% meat
- Energy content adjusted to the metabolism of puppies
- Cranberry, rosemary and rosehip to support the immune system
- Prebiotics, probiotics, chicory and camomile to improve digestion and relieve irritation
- A grain-free formula
- No soy, artificial colours or preservatives
Exercise
Carry on exercising your dog, but try to avoid anything too strenuous, especially after the first month of pregnancy. Go on short walks and don’t let her get overtired.
Checklist for Whelping
- Newspaper to line the whelping box during delivery for easy clean up • Non-skid bath mats for bedding after whelping is done • Dry, clean towels to clean the puppies • Paper towels to help with clean up • Thermometer to check your dog’s temperature before whelping • Unwaxed dental floss to tie off the umbilical cords • Clean scissors to cut the umbilical cords • A heating pad or hot water bottle to keep the puppies warm (be careful of it not being too hot) • Iodine to clean the puppies’ abdomens after the cord is cut and dab on the end of the cut umbilical cord • Ababy scale in ounces • Your veterinarian’s phone number and the number of a nearby pet clinic Keep these supplies in a clean, easy-to-access location.
Dog Whelping Box
A whelping box is merely a place for your dog to have her puppies comfortably. Since this will be where the pups spend the first weeks of their lives, it should have 12 to 18 – inch sides to keep the puppies safely inside. • The box should be easy to clean. After all, your dog will be giving birth in it and then the puppies will be living there. Not only is cleanliness important to keep the current litter of puppies healthy, but you may also want to use it again for another litter. • There should also be some kind of pad on the floor to make it comfortable for your dog since she will be spending a lot of time in the box. • The whelping box should be large enough for your dog to lie down and stretch out. There should also be enough space that she has room to turn around without stepping on a puppy and lie down to nurse the puppies easily. If the box is too big, a puppy can get pushed away from the mother and become chilled. • Lastly, the box should be convenient so you can easily care for your dog and her puppies.
Signs of a dog going into labour
Common behavioural signs prior to whelping includes:
• Restlessness
• Lack of appetite
.Nesting
• Panting
• Excessive urination
• Clinginess
Warning signs of labor in dogs
- Many pregnant dogs start to pant heavily, and her temperature will drop from a normal temperature (100 to 102.5 F) to 99 F or even lower shortly before going into labor. • Approximately 24 hours after this temperature drop, she will whelp, and you will be the proud owner of a new litter of puppies.
What are the stages of dog labour?
There are three stages of labour in dogs:
• The start of contractions • Delivery of puppies • Delivery of the placenta.
Stage I
Averages 6-12 hours but may last for 24 hours.
• Bitch appears restless, nervous and may see to shiver, pant, vomit, chew, scratch at the floor.
• Most dogs seek seclusion and / or digs / tears the material to create nest / bedding for puppies.
• At this stage privacy and whelping area / box must be provided to the dog.
Stage II and II
- Stage II ends with expulsion of the foetus and Stage III ends with expulsion of the placenta. • Bitches may deliver pups over a period as short as few hours to as long as 24-36 hours. • Contractions are usually visible, and the bitch is either on her side or in a squatting position. • With passage of each pup, either the bitch frees the pup by biting and / or licking the membrane away or must be removed by the owner. • Active straining for > 30mins from Stage Ⅱ initiation and birth of first puppy is worrisome and needs veterinary assistance. • Alag of 30 mins to 1 hour with straining and a lag of >4-6 hours between births of subsequent pups is worrisome and needs veterinary assistance. • A disturbed, frightened, or nervous bitch may actually interrupt whelping. • The placenta is usually passed within 5 to 15 minutes of the birth of each puppy.
Post-whelping routine
- Eating of placentas by the bitch should not be encouraged. • Vomiting of the placental material is common. • The bitch should lick each new-born vigorously to remove all membranes from the face and to promote respiration. If this does not occur within 1 to 3 minutes, the owner can intervene.
- Anew dry soft towel must be used to hold pups and all membranes should be removed by rubbing the puppy with the other end of the towel. • Fluids can be removed from the mouth by suction, usually using a soft, blunt-ended rubber air bulb. • The puppy can be cupped in the hands of owner (with its head at the fingertips and its tail at the wrist) and the arms are swung in an up and down motion (as if chopping wood) to promote respiration and clean the respiratory tract. • The bitch severs the umbilical cord with her teeth. If she does not do this, the owner can use thread, tying two knots in the cord. The first knot should be at least 1 inch from the puppy, and the second is an additional ¼-inch away. • Clean new scissors are used to cut between the knots, and the severed end is dipped into a mild antiseptic such as tincture of Iodine or Betadine. • The pups should definitely be left with the bitch, except in unusual circumstances, and handled as little as possible. • Some bitches nurse new-born puppies while delivering subsequent puppies; others do not.
Medications
Many canine medications are safe to use during pregnancy, however, veterinary advice should always be sought to ensure the specific medication you have in mind will cause no harm to the pups. If you give your dog regular preventative medication for heartworm you can continue this throughout the pregnancy.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations should not be given during canine pregnancy. However, if possible, it is a great idea to have your dog vaccinated just before becoming pregnant as this will ensure she has a high level of antibodies to pass onto her puppies during lactation.
Worming
Fenbendazole ( Panacur) is a suitable wormer for pregnant dogs; it is effective against roundworm, hookworm, some lungworm and tapeworms. Pyrantel/praziquantel combinations may also be suitable. The dosage regime will depend on the product you have chosen – always follow pack directions closely and consult your veterinarian or one of our Animal Health Advisors if you are in any doubt about the dosage regime of your chosen product. It is very important to de-worm your bitch from day 42 of her pregnancy until 2 days post whelping to ensure worm infestation is not passed on to the puppies via the placenta and milk. Puppies should be treated from 2 weeks of age every 2 weeks until weaning. Always seek veterinary advice to ensure the correct product is being administered to your bitch and that it is being given at the correct dose and frequency.
Panacur Liquid Suspension & Granules
- Available in 10% Oral Suspension for Dogs & Cats and Granules
- Panacur is very effective against roundworms and other intestinal parasites yet are very kind and gentle on your pet.
- Safe to use on puppies and kittens from 2 weeks of age
- Safe to use during pregnancy and lactation
- Give directly or mixed in food
Preparing for the birth
During the last 3 weeks of pregnancy, it is a good idea to isolate her from other dogs to ensure she does not contract the herpes virus which can trigger a miscarriage.
She may dislike being left alone and will probably become more affectionate if a little irritable. As the delivery date approaches she will start to look for a safe place to give birth. Prepare a whelping box for your bitch two to three weeks before she is due will give her time to become accustomed to it enough that she will choose to give birth in it.
DR A. BHARDWAJ,PUNE
