Good Things To Know!

Whelping
Process

Things to expect when whelping

Dogs go in heat around every six months.

What Signs Indicate That My Dog Is in Heat?

• Swollen vulva.

• Bloody or straw-colored discharge from the vulva.

• Receptive to male dogs.

• Excessive licking of the genital area.

• Agitated, nervous, or aggressive behavior.

•  Urinating more frequently.

• Change in tail position.

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Heat cycles can vary with every dog.

I start Artificial  insemination 10 days after first day of bleeding.

Then I do inseminations  every other day, three times , or as needed.

Or I can do a progesterone a test to be Exact , for an additional fee.

This method has proven very successful for me.

Signs of pregnancy are

There are signs of dog pregnancy you can watch for, including:

• Increase in appetite.

• Weight gain.

• Increase in nipple size.

• Swollen belly.

• Tires more easily.

• Nesting behavior.

• More affectionate.

• Irritability.

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At around 25-30 days I can do an ultrasound to verify pregnancy.

When pregnant I  recommend starting mom on puppy food.

I also start giving Oxy Mate (Prenatal Gummies) to expected momma.

After 4-5 weeks her tummy and waist will start filling out.

You can do a X-ray one week prior to whelping around 54 -56  days of gestation to verify number of puppies to expect.

Gestation is 58-64 days

At this time you will set up a whelping box with newspaper strips.

Signs of whelping

1. Become restless.

2. Exhibit occasional panting.

3. Build a nest.

4. Hide away under a house or some other private place.

5. Make milk

Your dog's body temperature will drop below 99 degrees Fahrenheit/37 degrees Celsius approximately 8 to 24 hours before whelping. Starting on day 60 of your dog's pregnancy, take her rectal temperature twice a day.

Problem Signs During Whelping

1. Straining for more than 2 hours between pups.

2. Greater than 2 hour interval between pups, yet no straining. May indicate inertia of the uterus.

3. Pup stuck in vulva, head protruding but no progress.

4. She has gone past her expected due date.

Here is a list of whelping materials.

I like to have ready

Whelping box

Heating pad

Hand Sanitizer

Latex gloves

Paper towels – to clean up messes.

Trash bags – to contain messes, one for dirty newspaper/trash and one for used towels.

Tablet, notebook or form – to record time of birth, weight, sex, identifying mark and to keep any important notes about the puppy.

Newspaper – this serves as bedding for the bitch and puppies, to line the whelping box before, during and after whelping as it will soak up birthing fluids and can easily be replaced during the whelping. You may be able to locate rolls of this paper to purchase or use actual newspaper.

Vaseline – for lubrication in case of stuck pup and when taking the bitch’s temperature.

Clean towels – towels and more towels. Used to clean and dry the puppies following birth. Small towels like hand or dish towel size work best, or use bath towels cut  into smaller sizes. Be sure to have some small washcloth sized pieces to use to grip pups if needed during birth.

Blunt tipped scissors – child’s safely scissors are perfect to cut umbilical cord, dull scissors are best as a jagged or rough cut will clot faster.

Baby suction bulb – to remove mucus from newborns mouth and nose as needed.

Alcohol wipes – use to clean cord clamps and scissors between pups.

Scale – to obtain birth weights and measure growth

Oral- cal plus

administer during labor , instructions on tube.

I use a lighted incubator and oxygen if needed but not a must.