Puppy birth

Question
My Jack Russell bitch is 57 day into her pregnancy. Does someone have to be with the dog during puppy birth? Do dogs have many problems with birth? Do most dogs have puppies early?  

Answer
Hi Richard --

There are a number of questions I would ask first. How old is she? Is this her first litter? And did her dam have complications with her litter? Does she have a whelping  box or a safe area to birth the pups?

12 - 24 hours before she is due to give birth, she may lose her appetite and be restless.   8 - 12 hours her rectal temperature drops from 101 degrees to 99 or lower.  

There are 3 stages of labor.  First, when the cervix dilates, opening the birth canal. The second is the actual birth and the third is the delivering of the afterbirth.

It's a personal choice about being with your female when she deliveries.  I recommend and choose to ALWAYS be present during whelping, for my own peace of mind and to assist if the occasion calls for it.  

Each female is different, some have easy births, some more difficult.  If your female is out of shape or the birth canal too narrow this can cause problems.  If a pup is born "breech", if the afterbirth is not expelled or if your female has been straining for 2 or 3 hours. If the pup's water bag breaks and the pup is stuck in the birth canal. If the female passes dark green or bloody fluid BEFORE delivery, or if labor stops completely. All can add stress and cause problems.

Depending on the size of the litter, pups could come early.  On average day 63 is the norm.

Good Luck!