Whelping in the Bitch

Whelping usually occurs with relatively few problems. Dogs can
usually deliver their puppies with little help from owners. This
sheet is intended to provide information to help you decide when
an abnormality is present.

Most dogs whelp about 63 days after breeding (normal range, 58
to 71 days). To determine exactly when the dog is due, determine
her first day of diestrus (day 1) with vaginal cytology and she
will whelp on day 56, 57, or 58; alternatively, start taking
your dog’s rectal temperature two to four times daily, starting
about 55 days after breeding.

To take your dog’s rectal temperature, you can use a human oral
thermometer. Lubricate it with a little petroleum jelly, make
sure the thermometer bulb is totally within the anus, and leave
it in for at least 1 minute. When the dog’s temperature falls to
below 1000F (usually below 990F), she should begin to whelp
within 24 hours and will probably begin in 4 to 6 hours.

You should have a place set aside for her that is warm and
private. She may pick a place for herself and start nesting
behavior there as she nears whelping. It is useful to have on
hand clean towels, iodine, thread or dental floss, a postal or
small food scale, vanilla ice cream, and your veterinarian’s
phone number.

Labor starts with a long stage in which the uterine contractions
begin, the birth canal relaxes, and the cervix opens. The
abdominal contractions may not be visible, but your dog may
appear nervous or restless, pant, or vomit. This stage lasts 6
to 12 hours. The second stage is the actual birth of the
puppies. You will usually see fetal tissues protruding before
you actually see a pup born. Remember, breech deliveries are
normal.

The puppies are born covered by a membrane that the dog ruptures
with her teeth. She also bites through the umbilical cord of
each pup. Abdominal contractions are evident at this stage, but
it is usually best to leave the bitch alone. Dogs can
voluntarily stop giving birth if they are disturbed, so you
should make sure she is in a quiet place. When you first see the
hard abdominal contractions signaling the second stage of labor,
you should give your dog 2 hours to have the first pup.

Once you see fetal tissues protruding, she should have a pup
within 30 minutes. When she starts delivering, allow 2 hours
between pups. Most dogs have a pup every 30 to 60 minutes; some
may have several and then rest a while before finishing. If you
are unsure about whether whelping is progressing normally,
please call your veterinarian.

The third and final stage of labor is that of expelling the
placenta or afterbirth. The dog usually expels the placenta for
each pup after it is born and some-times expels two placentas
after delivering two pups. You should clean these away; there is
no good physiologic reason for allowing the bitch to eat them.
Trying to count these is notoriously unreliable, but you can try.

You may need to help the pups if the mother does not. Do not try
to pull a puppy if it appears to be stuck, as it is easy to harm
the pups. If the mother does not clean the pups, you should dry
them with a towel, wipe clear all fluid from the nose and mouth,
and rub the puppies vigorously. If the bitch does not sever the
umbilical cord, you will have to do it. Wait for 5 to 10 minutes
and then tie the umbilical cord in two places with thread or
dental floss. The closest tie should be 1 to 2 inches from the
pup’s body. Cut between the two ties, dipping the end of the
cord in iodine. Leave the pups with the bitch; even though she
may not let them nurse, they need her warmth and physical
contact.

Many bitches will eat a special treat such as vanilla ice cream
while whelping. Vanilla ice cream is good for bitches during
whelping as it provides energy and calcium.

After whelping is completed, make sure all the pups nurse within
12 to 18 hours. The first milk they receive is important in
providing them with immunity to many common diseases. It is also
important to make sure the puppies are warm enough; they should
be kept in an environment at about 85F for the first several
weeks of life. Be careful in your use of heating pads or heat
lamps; it is easy to burn the pups.

The mother may have a green to red-brown vulvar discharge for up
to 3 weeks after whelping. This is normal and is of no concern
as long as it is not foul smelling and she seems fine otherwise.
Inspect the mother’s mammary glands daily to check for the
presence of milk, any abnormal swellings, and pain. Please call
you veterinarian if you have any concerns.

The puppies should be weighed at birth and daily thereafter.
They may lose a small amount of weight the first day but should
gain steadily after that, doubling their birth weight by 10 to
14 days of age.

Following is a checklist of reasons to call your veterinarian
for help (also see the handout on dystocia):

 The dog has started labor and is not progressing within
the time limits just listed.

 The rectal temperature dropped more than 24 hours ago
and the dog has not started labor.

 The dog appears ill, depressed, feverish, fatigued.

 You have trouble getting the puppies to breathe early
on or to suckle later.

 You are not sure if the dog has finished whelping.

 You have any particular concerns or questions.

A novel approach to canine obstetric monitoring involves the use
of external monitoring devices to detect and record uterine
activity and fetal heart rates.* These devices can be used in
the home setting or the veterinary clinic to transmit recorded
information by modem to obstetric personnel capable of
interpretation and subsequent consultation with the attending
veterinarian and owner. Sensors detect changes in intrauterine
and intra-amniotic pressures, as well as Doppler monitoring of
fetal heart rates.

The presence of normal prelabor uterine activity can be
detected, often before behavioral clues exist, allowing
recognition of stage I labor. Because the bitch’s drop in body
temperature can be missed, this detection of early labor can be
valuable.

The use of uterine and fetal monitors allows the veterinarian to
manage labor medically with knowledge of the presence of fetal
distress and allows the administration of oxytocin and calcium
to be directed and tailored to each bitch. Absolute indications
for cesarian section could be detected with monitoring before
fetal death or maternal compromise occurs. Overall, the anxiety
level of breeders is diminished and the level of participation
of the veterinarian improved. The cost to the client of
monitoring is less than the price of one puppy.

The above is general veterinary information. Do not begin
any course of treatment without consulting your regular
veterinarian. All animals should be examined at least once every
12 months.