NOTE: If you’re considering breeding your male or female dog, talk to your vet about crucial measures you should take to ensure safe and ethical breeding procedures. Additionally, female dogs should not ideally be vaccinated while they are expecting, so before breeding, make sure your dog is current on her vaccinations and heartworm/flea prevention. Numerous veterinarians nationwide focus on canine reproduction or have a particular interest in it. Before breeding your dog, you must speak with a reproductive veterinarian to ensure the health of both the mother and the puppies. The Society for Theriogenology (therio. A current list of reproductive veterinarians and the procedures they carry out is available at (.org).
Similar to how pregnant humans need to see a doctor, pregnant dogs also need to see a vet before, during, and after their pregnancy.
What to feed pregnant dogs, how to prepare a whelping area, what to expect during the whelping process, and how to provide postpartum care are all covered in this guide.
You might not observe any behavioral changes in your dog for the first few weeks. Some dogs might appear to be more exhausted, throw up, and eat less. You might observe that your dog is putting on weight and developing more pronounced mammary glands. Late in pregnancy, many dogs will exhibit nesting behavior. It’s crucial to remember that due to typical hormonal changes, non-pregnant female dogs may experience mammary development and color changes at this time.
An abdominal x-ray can be taken on day 45 of the pregnancy, and a dog pregnancy ultrasound should be performed between days 25 and 28 of the pregnancy. There are blood tests that can be used to determine whether a woman is pregnant, but they are unreliable and not a reliable method. Some veterinarians may also be able to palpate (feel) a dog’s abdomen to detect pregnancy, but this method is also unreliable and potentially dangerous for fetuses that are still developing. Please discuss these methods with your veterinarian for more information.
Whether or not a female dog is pregnant, her hormones after a heat cycle are remarkably similar. These hormones cause false pregnancy, also known as pseudopregnancy, which enables dogs who are not pregnant to display symptoms like lactation and changes in maternal behavior. These hormonal changes usually resolve on their own, requiring little to no medical attention. Although medical treatment for pseudopregnancy in dogs is rarely necessary, it is important to consult your veterinarian in case there are any side effects or complications. Spaying your dog can help prevent further incidents if you don’t plan to breed her.
Dogs typically go through their entire pregnancy in about 63 days from ovulation, or just over two months. Progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) monitoring is used to determine ovulation. Reproduction veterinarians commonly perform this testing.
A veterinarian can specify a highly accurate due date within a three-day window by determining the day of ovulation. If ovulation timing is not done, it is difficult to determine when a dog will ovulate, and the due date could be 58–68 days after breeding.
Before breeding, a veterinarian should examine the female dog to assess her physical health and readiness for pregnancy. A veterinarian should check on the expectant mother once more in the middle and late stages of her pregnancy to diagnose the pregnancy, perform health tests, and make plans for whelping.
In the final few weeks of pregnancy, many pregnant dogs should switch to a higher-calorie diet, especially for those with large litters. This diet should be a commercial one with labels for puppies or for pregnancy and lactation. Several premium, over-the-counter, veterinarian-recommended diets are also available that are marked for pregnant dogs. Consult your veterinarian for advice on your dog’s diet if it is pregnant or nursing.
Female dogs who are pregnant or nursing should continue eating this higher-calorie diet until weaning. Due to their different vitamin, mineral, and caloric contents, puppy foods made for LARGE breeds are typically not advised for dogs who are pregnant or nursing. Due to the high risk of infections that can result in abortion or fetal compromise, raw diets are also not advised.
Your veterinarian should examine a fresh stool sample because intestinal parasites can infect puppies both while they are still in the womb and while nursing.
Avoid giving your dog over-the-counter dewormers if she is expecting or nursing because some of them may be harmful. Instead, if her stool sample reveals a parasitic infection, your veterinarian can prescribe the appropriate medication.
Ideally, female dogs should not receive vaccinations, so before your dog gets pregnant, make sure she has all of her shots and is taking flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. In a few specific situations, a pregnant female dog should receive vaccinations. Newborn puppies are born without an immune system. They depend on the mother’s first milk, known as colostrum, during the first 24 hours of breastfeeding to provide them with protective antibodies. The dam should have high antibody levels to pass on in order to best protect the puppies. Veterinarians may decide to vaccinate a dog while she is pregnant if she has not had the combined distemper and parvovirus vaccine, if the benefits outweigh the risks. During your pre-breeding exam, discuss vaccination status with your veterinarian.
Many breeds of dogs can whelp (give birth) naturally, but some, like English Bulldogs and other short-nosed dogs, cannot. In these circumstances, planned caesarian sections are necessary, so close communication with your veterinarian is crucial.
Near the end of your dog’s pregnancy, you should prepare a peaceful nesting area for animals that are whelping naturally. Your dog should be able to enter and exit freely while keeping the puppies contained in a warm, comfortable space. There are many excellent resources on whelping boxes that are simple to maintain while offering mothers and puppies comfort and safety.
In order to prevent herpesvirus infection, the mother must also be separated from other dogs three weeks prior to labor and three weeks after delivery. Although it rarely affects adult dogs, this virus can be fatal to puppies.
Within 24 hours of labor, a pregnant dog’s temperature will drop significantly below 100°F, so you should begin taking her temperature a few days prior to the due date. Rectal temperatures are the most accurate.
There are three stages of dog labor. First-stage contractions can last up to 12 hours. Although puppies are typically born 30 to 60 minutes apart, the mother dog may wait 2 hours in between births. Here’s what happens in each stage.
Labor And Delivery:
Her vulva will enlarge a few days prior to delivery, the tail head may become noticeable, and watery milk may be present. To help the puppies nurse, chumps with a lot of hair on their abdomen should be shaved. Prior to giving birth, she might vomit, stop eating, and nest. Rectal temperature may drop by 2 to 3 degrees to below 100 degrees eight to twelve hours before delivery. As whelping nears, it then rises back to 102 degrees. She should be kept in a quiet, warm room with appropriate flooring or plastic sheeting and absorbent blankets at this time. If not already done, her whelping box should be prepared. To improve the pups’ footing and promote their development, a child’s round swimming pool can be used to create a cheap, simple-to-clean whelping box that is lined with towels, blankets, or a fitted carpet.
Uterine Contraction Monitoring:
If preterm delivery or dystocia is identified, the WhelpwiseTM uterine contraction monitor (tocodynomometer) can be used to monitor pre-labor and labor and enable early intervention. Insightful labor monitoring, like in human obstetrics, can greatly increase neonatal survival. It is necessary to order this service’s equipment in advance. They may be reached at 1-888-281-4867.
The included fetal Doppler can be used to evaluate fetal heartbeats and identify fetal distress.
How Many Puppies Can a Dog Have?
The average litter size varies widely depending on the breed.
Larger breed dogs typically have larger litters. A litter typically contains six to eight puppies, but some large breed dogs have been known to have many, many more!
Smaller breeds may have two to five puppies. When a dog only has one or two puppies, labor may not start naturally, and a c-section may be necessary. A planned c-section should be discussed with your veterinarian for singleton pregnancies and dog breeds that do not give birth naturally.
In the final week of pregnancy, your dog’s veterinarian can perform an x-ray to determine how many puppies she is carrying. Pet owners can prepare adequate supplies and expectations with the help of this clarity.
A protective fetal membrane covers puppies at birth, but the mother typically removes it soon after.
You must manually remove this sac if she does not do so in order to encourage the puppy to breathe. Break the sac, remove the fluid from the puppy’s nostrils, turn the puppy’s head to the bottom, open the mouth, and wipe out any leftover fluids. Next, use a towel to firmly stroke the puppy’s body to encourage breathing.
You might need to cut the umbilical cord if it wasn’t cut during labor or by the mother. Take care not to pull on the cord, though, as this could harm the puppy’s organs. Instead, gently tear it with your first two fingers and thumb while breaking it a few inches away from the puppy’s body. Before giving birth, you might want to purchase medical supplies like clamps and scissors to help with the process.
Here are some things to anticipate and warning signs to look out for after the puppies are born.
After the puppies are born, vaginal discharge may continue in small amounts for up to eight weeks. Since the discharge typically contains mostly old blood, it will typically appear reddish-black.
Your dog should be seen by her veterinarian right away if the discharge is excessively bloody, smells, or resembles pus. Another indication to have her examined is if the discharge slows down but then suddenly gets worse.
After whelping, keep taking your dog’s temperature because infections following birth are frequent. If her temperature is over 102. 5 or if she is acting sick, contact your veterinarian.
When a placenta is retained or there is trauma during delivery, metritis, or uterine inflammation, can happen. If you notice symptoms of fever, lethargy, foul vaginal discharge, lack of interest in the puppies, or decreased milk production, call your veterinarian right away.
FAQ
Is green discharge normal before a dog gives birth?
Dark green discharge from the mother during labor is typical. Each puppy develops this pigment while it is in the uterus. When discharged during labor, usually a puppy soon follows.
How long does a dog have discharge before giving birth?
Momma dog will begin nesting at this time and will produce a white to gelatinous discharge for up to 48 hours prior to whelping (Note: If the discharge develops a bloody tinge, the first puppy is about to be born).
What does green mean when a dog is giving birth?
Without a puppy present, a green discharge from your dog’s vulva may indicate that the puppies are in distress (their blood and oxygen supply is failing). Ask your vet for advice immediately. During a whelping, you may notice some fluid and bloody discharge.
How long does green discharge last in dogs?
Causes of Vaginal Discharge in Dogs A dark green to black discharge is frequently visible for a few days, and traces of discharge may linger for up to three weeks.