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BREEDING FOR PET OWNERS

4.  Whelping

What should I do to prepare for whelping?

From the time of mating many bitches show behavioural changes, often becoming  more affectionate.  However some become uncharacteristically irritable.

Does morning sickness occur in the bitch?

Some bitches do experience a few days of vomiting (“morning sickness”) usually followed by the development of a ravenous appetite which will persist throughout pregnancy.  However it certainly does not occur in all bitches.  There is usually a decrease in the  desire for exercise during the last week or so of pregnancy.

My bitch appears to want to hide in strange places.  Is this normal?

During the last week of pregnancy the bitch often starts to look for a secure place for her confinement.   Some pet bitches appear to become confused, wanting to be with their owners and at the same time wanting to prepare their nest.  It is therefore a good idea to get the bitch used to the place where you want her to have her puppies well in advance of whelping.   Even so, there are a number of bitches that insist on having their puppies in close proximity to the owner. This may be in the middle of the night, on your bed.   Be warned!. 

If she does start whelping in my bedroom, what shall I do?

It will be far less stressful for all concerned, including you, the owner, to allow her to continue in her chosen place.  Make sure you spread lots of old newspaper and if possible cover the carpet with a polythene sheet which is then covered by the newspaper.   Remember it is normal for foetal fluids in the bitch to be coloured green.  Stains from this are difficult to remove.

Once the bitch has finished whelping try gently moving her and family to your chosen place.  This she should be well acquainted with prior to whelping.

If she is determined she wants to share your living space, endeavour to achieve compromise.   A whelping box in a quiet corner of the living room which has been well covered with newspapers is preferable to an anxious bitch constantly leaving her puppies.

Should I be present during the whelping?

Some bitches like the owner to be with them the whole time they are in labour.  Others prefer to get on with it in seclusion.   Decisions can only be made at the time.

What should I prepare in advance?

1.            Make sure you have copious stocks of clean newspaper.

2.            Select the place where you would like her to have her puppies.  Make sure that a suitable whelping box has been selected and placed there.  This will of course depend on the size of the bitch but should be large enough for her to move around freely and have low enough sides so that she can see and move in and out.   A large cardboard packing case with an open top and a piece cut out at the side so she can get in and out easily is useful depending on her size.  We will give advice if necessary.

3.            Line the bottom of the whelping box with plenty of paper.  There is a lot of fluid at the time of whelping.  If sufficient layers of newspaper are laid at the outset, soiled layers may be removed with minimum interruption to the mother and her new born puppies immediately after the whelping.

4.            Acrylic bedding, which is easily washed, can be used to cover the newspaper although during the whelping plain newspaper is probably less hazardous and the puppies are less likely to get hidden beneath it.

How will I know when my bitch is going to start?

Some bitches stop eating during the last 24 hours before labour although this is by no means universal.   All the textbooks tell you the rectal temperature will drop below 37.8oC (100oF) but again this may only occur an hour or two before she starts producing.  

However if she does appear to be restless and starts bedmaking it is worthwhile contacting us just to let us know you think she is starting.

These signs may last for up to 24 hours and are part of first stage labour.

Second stage labour is the stage of delivery.  Your bitch will start to strain and if straining continues almost continuously for two hours and no puppy is delivered, nor any sign of a water bag, you should contact us.  However most dogs experience no complications with delivery.  Nevertheless first time mothers should be attended by their owners until at least one or two puppies have been born.

If there are no problems, further attendance will depend upon the bitch.  As mentioned previously, some prefer you to be there.,

My bitch has not had puppies before.  Do you think she will be all right left?

Primagravidas, bitches having puppies for the first time, should be kept under surveillance until you think they have finished, just in case they get into trouble.  Make sure the puppies are being cared for by the bitch, particularly if she is still in labour.  Some bitches are more concerned with straining to produce the next puppy than to be bothered with those that have already been delivered.  If that is the case, a small cardboard box with a bottle filled with warm, (not hot), water, wrapped in a towel on to which the puppies are placed and then covered with another towel is a useful method of ensuring they do not chill while the bitch finishes her delivery.

How long will whelping take?

Delivery times vary.  Dogs with fairly slim heads such as Shelties, Collies and Dobermanns may complete delivery of all the puppies within 2-3 hours.  Brachycephalic breeds, i.e. those with large, round heads such as Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pekingese, tend to have more difficult deliveries and sometimes will produce one or two relatively quickly and then rest for a while before labour starts again.

If your bitch has produced at least one puppy and then does not strain again within two hours, we should be contacted.   Similarly if the bitch has been straining continuously for a couple of hours and not produced a puppy it is important that she receives veterinary help.

How are puppies normally born?  Do they usually come backwards?

Puppies are usually born head first with the forelegs extended.  This is called anterior presentation.  Posterior presentation is also normal in the bitch.  Here the puppy is born with tail and hindlegs coming first.   This is not breech presentation. A breech presentation is one in which the hindlegs are forward and the tail and bottom are presented.  This is abnormal.

Some breech presentations can result in a normal delivery but usually complications occur.  If a puppy's tail is seen hanging from the vulva or alternatively there is a lump just behind the vulval lips and your bitch is straining, contact us without delay.

Should my bitch pass an afterbirth after each puppy?

Each puppy is enclosed in a sac that is part of the placenta or afterbirth.   This sac is usually broken at birth and passed after each puppy is born.  This often is unnoticed since it is normal for the bitch to eat them and the hormones they contain help with milk production.  Sometimes a bitch will have two or three puppies and then pass several of  the afterbirths together.

Is it important that I count the afterbirths?

From the foregoing you will realise this can be difficult since a bitch may have passed the correct number but fooled you by eating some.  If an afterbirth is not passed, it usually disintegrates and passes unnoticed within 24-48 hours after delivery.  This usually happens when the bitch relieves herself.

If the bitch has a blood stained or smelly discharge, 24-48 hours after delivery, veterinary help should be sought.

How soon should a puppy be born after it is seen emerging from the birth canal?

In a normal delivery a few contractions will produce the puppy.  Ten minutes is  reasonable.  Following  delivery the bitch will  lick and chew at the puppy and often appears to be treating it quite roughly. However in most cases this is normal behaviour and stimulates the puppy to start breathing.  During the chewing and licking she tears the sac and exposes the mouth and nose so that it can breathe.  You will realise all is well if the puppy starts to whimper or cry. 

Sometimes the placenta is delivered immediately after the puppy and is attached to it by the umbilical cord.  The bitch normally chews at this and breaks it about an inch from the puppy, consuming the placenta at the same time.  However in some breeds the mother seems to become over enthusiastic and may lick and chew at the puppy until she injures it.  Therefore, it is advisable to observe the bitch particularly if it is her first litter.

I have heard that some bitches will have a puppy still attached to the afterbirth and run away and leave it.

This can sometimes happen particularly in bitches with their first litter in which case it is important that you ensure the puppy's mouth and nostrils are clear of any afterbirth or membranes.   Remember the puppy is born in a fluid filled sac that usually breaks during  birth.  If the puppy is delivered still in the sac break it as quickly as possible.   Then clean the puppy's face and nostrils and then gently blow to try and get it to breathe.  If the afterbirth is still intact hold the cord between your finger and thumb with the puppy resting in the palm of your hand and cut the cord with a pair of scissors approximately an inch from the puppy. Holding it for a few seconds will usually stop any bleeding.  Otherwise tie it with clean thread.

Then, holding the puppy in a towel covered hand gently rub it with the towel until the hair coat starts to dry.  The puppy should then start to whimper and be breathing normally.  The tongue should be pink.   You can then offer it to the bitch.  If  she is more interested in delivering further puppies, place it in a box with a warm water bottle covered by a towel.   Also cover the puppy to keep it warm.

What happens if the puppy is visible but the bitch does not produce it?

Speed is of the essence in such situations particularly if it is a posterior presentation.  If the puppy is coming head first make sure that the membranes are removed from the visible part of the mouth and face.   At least then when the bitch contracts the lungs will be stimulated and the puppy will get some oxygen.

If the puppy is coming backwards , speed is important otherwise it will suffocate.

What should I do?

No matter whether the puppy is coming head first of hind first, with a piece of clean tissue or clean cloth gently take hold of the puppy and apply traction at approximately 45o to the angle between the spine and the hind legs.  Do not just pull when the bitch strains.  Gentle traction will stimulate her to help by pressing.  Once the puppy has been born, clear the membranes and then cut the cord.  If the afterbirth is still inside the bitch, do not worry. It is important to stimulate the puppy by blowing gently down the nostrils and mouth and clearing any discharges, membranes, debris and also stimulating it by gently rubbing with a towel until it starts to breathe.

If you cannot move the puppy or if it appears to be painful to the bitch, veterinary help is needed urgently.

Is it true that the puppy will die if it is not stimulated immediately after birtth?

If the puppy is born within the foetal sac it will be unable to breathe and that it is why it is important that if the bitch does not break the sac, you should do so and follow the instructions given above.

Most puppies break the sac as they are born but this is not always so.

I understand puppies can drown in their own foetal fluids.  Is this true?

New born puppies may try to breathe while still within the sac and surrounded by fluid.   The fluid then enters the lungs.  This is then an emergency.  If they are breathing it will sound raspy and gurgly.  Fluid should be removed as soon as possible.  Hold the puppy in the palm of your hand, cradling the head  between your first and second fingers.  The head should be held,  your other hand used to help support and steady the body.  Swing the puppy firmly head downwards.  The centrifugal force generated should make the puppy gasp.  Gavity will help the fluid and mucus flow out of the lungs and mouth.  Repeat this several times checking the colour of the tongue and listening to the breathing.   The tongue  should change from a greyish blue colour to pink if you are successful.  If it remains bluish, continue the swinging process.   Do not give up for at least 10-15 minutes.  Once the puppy is breathing,  place it in the warm box as before.

Is it possible to keep the puppies too warm?

The puppies have developed in a temperature of  38.5oC (101.5oF) which to us is pretty warm.  However, immediately after birth they are unable to control their own temperature and are dependent upon external warmth.  Neonates sometimes cannot move away from the source of heat if too warm therefore care is necessary.  If necessary use a thermometer particularly if you are using heat lamps.

Should I continue the heat source if the bitch is nursing her puppies?

This depends on the breed but certainly if a heat lamp is used care must be exercised otherwise the bitch can well over heat and become restless.