Whelping
SUPPLIES
When it comes time to deliver those beautiful pups, it helps to have a “whelping kit” handy. Here are the “must haves” (and what they’re for):
These things aren’t necessary, but they are useful!:
PRE-LABOUR
Whelping is exciting and at times hectic. Here is what to expect in a normal pre-labour:
When it comes time to deliver those beautiful pups, it helps to have a “whelping kit” handy. Here are the “must haves” (and what they’re for):
- Strong thread, for tying off bleeding umbilical cords;
- Towels, LOTS, birth is wet and messy! Also to help dry pups after birth;
- Small bulb syringe, to clear out the nostrils/mouth if baby has fluid in there;
- Support numbers, keep your vet’s phone numbers handy as well as someone experienced with whelping for non-emergency questions.
These things aren’t necessary, but they are useful!:
- Ear thermometer, to help you know when it’s “Show Time”!
- Betadine or rubbing alcohol, to dip cords after tying to help them dry
- Scissors, to snip cords if Mom isn’t chewing them
- Camera, to record these incredible moments!
- Construction paper strips, approx. ¼” wide and tape to mark identical puppies so you know who is who
PRE-LABOUR
Whelping is exciting and at times hectic. Here is what to expect in a normal pre-labour:
- Approximately 24 or fewer hours before whelping, mom's temperature will drop down to around 98 Fahrenheit or 38.7 Celsius for a prolonged period of time. If you've been monitoring her temperature for a few days, you might notice an increase right before the temperature drop.
- Mom will begin showing signs of discomfort; she may pant, act restless, begin digging or rearranging her whelping area, or hide. She may lose interest in food.
- Contractions will begin and are visible (the entire body, especially the torso, will tense and release).
- Mom will begin to push along with her contractions!
LABOUR
Full labour, when we deliver puppies, is very fun ... but it can quickly become scary if you are not prepared!! It's important to know:
WHAT'S YOUR JOB
You can help mom out during labour by doing a few things:
GROSS (BUT NORMAL) THINGS MOMS DO
DISTRESS
While moms generally whelp all by themselves with no problems, there are many things that can go wrong during this time. Here are some common problems to watch for (ALL indicate a call to the vet and your whelping contact!)
Full labour, when we deliver puppies, is very fun ... but it can quickly become scary if you are not prepared!! It's important to know:
- Mom should not strain for more than 30 minutes without delivering a puppy.
- It is normal to have up to 4 hours between puppies. It's also normal to have about 30 seconds between puppies!
- The pups should come out with, or immediately following, the placenta (within 20 minutes). The placenta is full of bright green fluid and sometimes some black solids; this is normal!
- Immediately following birth, mom should be licking the pup to dry it, chewing through the umbilical cord, and allowing the pup to nurse.
WHAT'S YOUR JOB
You can help mom out during labour by doing a few things:
- Watch for signs of distress in mom or babies (coming up);
- Help mom to dry babies with a towel. You can rub vigorously but gently;
- Tie off cords with string and dip with alcohol;
- Keep dry towels under/behind mom, soothe her, and offer her water regularly.
GROSS (BUT NORMAL) THINGS MOMS DO
- Mom will naturally want to "clean up" everything that relates to birth or her pups. This means that she may eat it all - the placenta, fluids, umbilical cord, pee and poop ... everything;
- Moms lick their puppies' rear ends and genitals to stimulate them so that they can relieve themselves. They aren't able to do so without her at first;
- Moms, like all dogs, will groom themselves around the genital area to "tidy up";
- Friendly moms will still want to kiss you after doing these things ... fair warning!
DISTRESS
While moms generally whelp all by themselves with no problems, there are many things that can go wrong during this time. Here are some common problems to watch for (ALL indicate a call to the vet and your whelping contact!)
- Mom pushes/strains regularly for 30 minutes with no puppy appearing;
- Mom pushes/strains intermittently for 1.5 hours with no puppy appearing;
- More than 4 hours passes without a pup, and you think there are more pups in there;
- A placenta is whelped (large rush of green fluid) but no pup appears within 20-30 minutes;
- Mom ignores a pup completely after birth, not drying it or encouraging it to nurse;
- A pup has wheezy breathing or seems to have trouble breathing;
- A pup doesn't seem able to latch on to a nipple or does not seem to get any milk for 3+ hours (some take awhile);
- Mom is bleeding freely during or after labour (not just a drop or two);
- A pup is listless, won't crawl towards mom, etc.;
- Mom attempts to eat a puppy or is extremely rough with pups (rare, but if it happens, remove ALL pups IMMEDIATELY following birth).