Pregnancy can usually be detected in dogs by palpation 20 to 30 days after breeding, by ultrasound 24 or more days after breeding, and by radiographs 40 to 45 days after breeding.
The gestation period varies from one dog to the next, and even from one breeding to the next in the same dog. The range is 63 days, give or take 7 days, counting from the first mating.
Predicting Labor Monitoring your dog’s body temperature using a rectal thermometer is an easy way to predict when she will go into labor. Normal body temperature is between 99 and 102.5 degrees; it typically drops by 2 to 3 degrees 18 hours or less before whelping starts. Start taking your dog’s temperature during what you believe to be the last 2 weeks of her pregnancy, so you find out what a normal body temperature is for her. Monitor her temperature twice a day. If her temperature falls and she hasn’t gone into active labor within 24 hours, she may need to be examined by a veterinarian.
Labor Behaviors seen in the first stage of labor include: loss of appetite, panting, restlessness, and nesting behaviors. Active labor begins less than 12 hours later, and the first pup is usually produced after 2 to 6 hours of active straining. There is generally less than an hour between the birth of each pup, and the dam may stop straining for a while between pups.
A placenta should be delivered after each pup; it is normal for the dam to eat the placenta.
She should also clean the pups up herself, but may need help removing the sac from the puppies’ faces.
When to call the veterinarian Signs that may indicate a problem include:
Any illness in the dam History of problems delivering pups in the past More than 24 hours between drop in rectal temperature and onset of active labor More than 3 hours of active straining with no pups produced More than one hour of active straining between pups Constant, unrelenting straining for 1 hour with no pup produced Labor stops before all pups are delivered Lochia: Normal Vaginal Discharge It is completely normal and healthy to see a colored discharge with very little odor coming from the vagina for several weeks after the pups are born. It will be dark green for the first 12 hours or so, then reddish brown. It should gradually decrease in volume and is usually completely gone 2 months after the pups are born. If the discharge is any color other than green, red-brown, or black; if it has a foul odor; or if the pups or dam are acting ill, the dam and litter should be examined by your veterinarian.
Possible Pregnancy Complications Eclampsia Also called puerperal hypocalcemia or tetany; it is caused by low blood calcium levels in the dam. This occurs most often when small dams are nursing large litters of pups that are less than one month old. Signs include panting, trembling, muscle spasms, weakness, and stumbling. It can progress to seizures, and can be deadly if not treated in time. Feeding puppy food to the dam while she is pregnant and nursing may help prevent this problem.
Calcium supplements should NOT be given during pregnancy, because it changes the body’s calcium-control mechanisms, and can actually cause eclampsia. However, supplements can be helpful while the pups are nursing.
Uterine infection Although it doesn’t happen very often, uterine infection is a potential complication of even normal deliveries. Fever, loss of appetite, and a foul-smelling vaginal discharge are common signs, although the first symptom may be crying, neglected puppies. Surgical removal of the uterus is the most reliable cure, although antibiotics alone may be attempted in certain situations.
“Hysterical" Mothers Some dams, especially first-time mothers, will reject their puppies initially or even appear to be afraid of them. Sitting with the dam and comforting her may help, although some dogs have to be medicated for a few days to get them past this stage. They do usually overcome it within less than 5 days. In the meantime, the dam should be supervised and pups bottle fed if need be. Dams have been known to kill and even eat their own pups, so all dams should be observed closely for the first hour or two after the pups are born to see how they are responding. Try to observe without disturbing her, however, as too much stress or disruption can lead to hysteria.
Good luck, and happy whelping!
Dr. Kristie Ponce,DVM
******************************************************************************** Dr. Kristie Ponce, DVM is a small animal veterinarian, licensed in the state of Wisconsin.
I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine in May of
2000, and have been practicing small animal (meaning dog and cat) medicine and surgery ever since. I grew up with pets, and decided I wanted to become a veterinarian when I was only 5 years old! I love animals, and I love the kind of people who adopt and become advocates for their little furry friends. I look forward to helping you find the answers you need, and promise to be honest at all times, even if it means admitting that you've stumped me! Sign- up for our newsletter here:
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
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