What is the labor process of dogs?
As your dog’s body prepares to give birth, her birth canal relaxes and widens, while her puppies turn around into the correct position for birth. The preparation stage of whelping often lasts between 6-12 hours, but can be as long as 36 hours (especially for a first time mum, or a nervous dog).
How many stages are there to the labor process of a dog?
There are three stages of dog labor. Contractions in the first stage can last 6-12 hours. Puppies are usually born 45-60 minutes apart, but the mother dog may take a break of up to four hours between puppies. Here’s what happens in each stage.
How long can stage 1 labor last in dogs?
This stage of labor typically lasts 6 to 12 hours. At the end of stage I, the cervix is completely dilated. If your dog has not started whelping within 24 hours after beginning stage I labor, veterinary assistance is recommended.
What should I do after my dog gives birth?
After the birthing process, clean up the mother as much as possible without upsetting her using a warm water and washcloth. Do not use any soaps or disinfectants unless instructed to by your veterinarian. Remove any soiled newspaper or bedding from her whelping box.
How long does it take to dilate from 1 to 5?
(The last part of active labor, when the cervix dilates fully from 8 to 10 cm, is called transition.) This process takes about 5 to 7 hours if you’re a first-time mom, or between 2 and 4 hours if you’ve had a baby before.
What happens to a dog during Stage I labor?
No abdominal efforts (visible contractions) are evident during stage I labor. Female dogs and cats may exhibit changes in disposition and behavior during stage I labor, becoming reclusive, restless, and nesting intermittently, often refusing to eat and sometimes vomiting.
What is medical management for labor and delivery in dogs?
Unresponsive uterine inertia, obstructive dystocia, aberrant uterine contractions, or progressive fetal distress without response to medical management are indications for a cesarean section. Medical management includes administration of calcium gluconate and oxytocin based on the results of monitoring.
How to check for labor in a dog?
Thoroughly clean the rectal thermometer with the alcohol pad (or alcohol on a cotton ball) and apply a dab of petroleum jelly to the tip. Insert the tip of the thermometer just past the metal end and wait for the reading.
How long does it take for English Bulldogs to go into labor?
Some dog breeds cannot whelp their own puppies (English Bulldogs), and veterinary assistance will be required. The puppies will arrive in 12–24 hours after the dam’s temperature drops to 98 degrees, which means that the labor process will soon begin.
