The Tribune

By BASIL SANDS

Most Veterinarians are inundated with calls from their clients during off hours concerning dogs that are delivering puppies. The common concern: My dog is about to deliver pups, and I need to know what to do and what to expect.

Well I am going to give a quick course on dog midwifery and it is called, Whelping 101.

Gestation (pregnancy) in dogs lasts approximately 63 days (9 weeks). A dog's temperature will drop a degree or two from the normal 101 degrees to 102 degrees, approximately 24 hours before she goes into labor. You can take her temperature once a day starting at day 58 or so, to get advance warning of when she is going to deliver. This is helpful if you are not sure exactly when she conceived.

Delivery problems are rare in dogs, but if your dog is small compared to the male, or if she or the male have big heads and narrow hips (e.g. English Bulldogs, Pit Bulls etc.), you should be extra watchful and prepared to take her to your veterinarian if she seems to be having trouble in giving birth. Ask your vet if you are unsure whether the dog's size may present problems.

Dogs can have anywhere from 2 to 14 or more pups, depending on the individual and the breed. If your dog has had an x-ray or an ultrasound to determine the number of puppies she is carrying that should be taken as only an estimate, because sometimes a puppy or two may be hidden from view.

Uterine contractions start 2 to 12 hours before the first puppy is born. Signs of labor are restlessness, seeking a place to give birth, shivering and panting. Often you will see some bloody vaginal discharge. When contractions have moved the first puppy into position, the dog will begin pushing. She will contract her abdomen and hindquarters while squatting or lying down. She may yelp, moan or whine this is normal. If she pushes for more than four hours without delivering the first puppy, call your vet.

Puppies can be born either head first or tail first. If a puppy gets stuck in the birth canal call your vet and he will tell you what to do to help the mother and puppy without injuring both of them. All puppies are born in a sac with a placenta attached to their umbilical cord. Most dogs do a fine job of getting their pups out of the sac. However some dogs may have a problem and you may need to assist them on removing the sac and cutting the umbilical cord. You need to wipe them gently with a towel and ensure that the umbilical cord is tied off. Your dog may eat the sac and placenta but if she eats too many she may become sick so I recommend that you prevent her from eating them.

If the puppy is not responsive (not moving or breathing), cup him in your hands, carefully supporting his head and neck and gently swing him with his head pointing downward to help drain any fluid from the nose and throat. Then rub his body vigorously with a towel to stimulate breathing.

Newborn puppies need to nurse as soon as possible and they need their mother to stimulate them to urinate and defecate by licking their belly and bottoms. You can help steer a puppy toward a nipple to encourage them to nurse.

Very rarely a dog will attack and injure or kill her newborn puppies. If she behaves aggressively towards any of the puppies put all the puppies in a warm place where she can't reach them. Remember it is normal for a dog to have a reddish, greenish or dark vaginal discharge for up to five weeks after birth. However if the discharge is foul smelling, call your vet because that smell may indicate a uterine infection.