Pregnant dog care and nursing puppies

Symptoms of labor

• Puppy development is almost complete around day 58, which means the puppies will begin to move into whelping position in the birth canal over the last few days of the pregnancy.

• This can last 12-24 (and even sometimes 48 hours)

• Waist will trim as puppies move into the birth canal

• Appetite loss around day 61 or 62

• Drop in body temperature 12-to-24 hours before labor

• Restless behavior

• Pacing, panting, shivering, or digging

• Refusing to eat

• Vomiting

• Panting

• Clear vaginal discharge

• At this point they should start to deliver pups. 

• Pups come one pup at a time. Each pup has one placenta, so for each pup delivered be sure a placenta comes as well. 

• Pups should come every 30-60 minutes but can last up to 2 hours between pups

• Longer then 3 hours between pups you should let a director know. 

• If she ever looks like she is in distress, call a director ASAP

• What should you do during labor? (be sure she is comfortable with you being close during labor)

• Keep the sheets clean, change towels as you can. 

• Be sure she gets the baby out of the sack in a timely manner . New moms may struggle with this, especially if the pups are coming fast. You may have to break open the sack for her. Gently rip the thin sack from around the puppy. You may need to stick your finger gently in their mouth to clear their airway and / or run them with a towel to stimulate their breathing. 

• Watch to be sure the number of babies = number of placentas. Moms will generally eat the pancetta and this is normal. 

• As mom is laboring, be sure she doesn't squish one of the pups already birthed. 

• Be sure pups are latching on to mom to start feeding. 

Post Birth for mama

• Mom will be very tired and may not want to leave the pups to potty. You should encourage her to go out to potty and by 12 hours post birth you may have to force her to go. Be sure all your other dogs are in another room.

• Mom will be protective of her pups, this could be with people as well as other dogs . If she is ok with you handling pups, you should do so often once they hit 2-3 weeks old so they are used it it, stay close to her with the pups. 

• After birth continue feeding your dog high calorie food or puppy food. She is still nursing her puppies and is in need of the extra calories.

• Watch for illness with mom

• Fever (slight for some time after birth is normal)

• Vaginal discharge may last in small amounts for up to eight weeks after the puppies are born. The discharge will normally appear reddish-black since it consists mostly of old blood.

• Mastitis, or inflammation of the breast tissue, occurs when the breasts become hard, red, and painful due to infection. 

• Taking care of newborn pups

• Monitor the pups nursing, be sure all are nursing on mama. 

• Weigh them to be sure they are gaining weight and keep this in a chart

• Keep the area free from drafts, the bedding clean and dry

• If its during the cold months, consider keeping a space heather in the same room as mom and babies. Close enough to keep them all warm but far enough away you are not making the room to warm