Whelping in the Bitch

by Margaret V. Root Kustritz, DVM and Autumn P. Davidson, DVM

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.

About the Author

Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital and its cat-only affiliate, Coastal Cat Clinic, are small animal practices located in Pacifica, California. To find a veterinarian or to learn more about the vet clinic and our staff, visit:[http://lindamarvet.com/]