When your dog is pregnant, it is an exciting as well as the exhausting period for you. You are excited about the arrival of new beautiful puppies but also nervous about the labor period of your pet, wondering how dogs deliver the puppies. But don't panic because dogs' deliveries are less dramatic than humans. Your pet is capable of welcoming the new puppies safely. All you need is to provide your company at the time of birth to prevent your dog from any complications. forpetloverz has discussed some signs and symptoms that may help you find when your pet is going into labor.
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Some common signs a dog is going into labor soon
Drop-in temperature.
Keep a daily chart of your dog's rectal temperature during the final week of pregnancy. It can help you figure out when labor will start. The dog usually has 100 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit body temperature. However, the temperature dips to around 97 degrees Fahrenheit before delivery and stays there for two consecutive readings given 12 hours apart.
Other transient temperature reductions may occur, but you're searching for two consecutive measurements with a lower temperature. Within 24 hours of this happening, labor will begin. It is the most reliable indication that your dog is about to give birth.
Nesting behavior
Because dogs automatically look for a safe spot to deliver their pups, nesting behavior is another clue that labor may soon begin. First, assist your dog by providing a low-sided box with newspaper and blankets. Then, in preparation for whelping, your dog will rumple this bedding into a temporary nest. This behavior typically starts around a week before the due date. Still, your dog will begin nesting a day or two actively before the scheduled day.
Loss of appetite
A pregnant dog has a loss of appetite a day or two before going into labor. Even if she eats, she may vomit in the first several days of delivery. Due to the pressure from the pups, as they come into position for birth, she'll probably have a bowel movement before going into labor.
Milk production
Not all females go into lactation before giving birth to their pups, but some do. Keep an eye out for enlarged breasts and expanded nipples. Just before labor begins, you may notice a small amount of leaking. It is a good sign that work is approaching for some dogs. Given the wide range of time it takes for a dog to begin lactating before birth, this is one of the most challenging indicators to recognize.
Tiredness
Because carrying a litter depletes much energy, especially in the final days before delivery, many females spend much time resting before labor. If your pet appears even more drowsy than she did a day or two ago and is approaching her due date, it could be a sign that labor is about to begin.
Anxiety
When your dog recognizes that delivery time is approaching, she may have a troubled expression due to her anxiety over impending labor. You might notice her brows furrowing and her eyes watering slightly. She might also cling to your side and refuse to allow you out of her sight if she suspects labor is about to start. Simply being present with love and encouragement when your dog is giving birth is one of the most effective ways to assist her.
Shivering and contraction
Shivering usually implies that the female's body temperature is rising. Early contractions may cause her abdomen to stiffen up or ripple periodically at this point. Place your hands on her belly when you notice these signs. Her stomach will feel rigid during a contraction, but it will relax once the contraction is complete.
Emerging of amniotic fluid
As the pup progresses down the birth canal, the fluid-filled amniotic sac protrudes from the vulva. It may take several pushes to deliver the youngster and its placenta fully. A placenta may be retained in some cases, although it is usually pushed out before the next pup arrives.
How to help your dog in labor
Remain near the dog
When your dog goes into labor for the first time, the most significant thing you can do is stand back and silently observe her. It might surprise you to find that dogs usually don't require much assistance when giving birth.
Seeing a dog's instincts take control while they whelp and nurse their young may be pretty intriguing.
Remove the membrane covering
When a pregnant dog gets ready to give birth to her first youngster, she will usually strain or push for 10 to 30 minutes before the puppy appears. Each newborn puppy will have a membrane covering it when it emerges from the birth canal. You must remove it for the puppy to breathe. The majority of mothers will accomplish this intuitively by licking and biting at the membrane.
You will need to help if the mother does not remove the membrane within two minutes. Using your fingers, carefully remove the membrane, then gently wipe the puppy clean with a cloth.
Tie the umbilical cord
Tie the umbilical cord to the puppy's tummy with umbilical tape, twine, or floss, keeping the thread taut. Next, cut the cord approximately an inch and a half away from the puppy with sterilized medical scissors. In a few days, the rope should fall off on its own.
Prevent the pet from ingesting placenta
Puppies are usually delivered 45-60 minutes apart. Between pups, the mother may try to eat the precious pup's placenta. It would help if you kept your dog from ingesting too much placenta since it can cause vomiting.