Pregnancy and delivery in dogs
A female dog is pregnant for an average of 62 days. Generally, the larger the litter, the shorter the gestation period. If the female is carrying only one or a few puppies, the pregnancy can sometimes last so long that the pups become too large and risk dying in the uterus due to a lack of nutrients. There is also a chance that the pups can no longer be born naturally. If your female dog is pregnant for more than 67 days, it is advisable to visit the veterinarian.
The fetuses can be felt in the uterus when the female dog is 24 to 32 days pregnant. From that moment, an ultrasound can clarify whether the dog is pregnant or not. Only after 45 days can it be determined with certainty how many puppies the female is carrying. At that point, the puppies' skeletons are developed enough to be visible on an X-ray. Because X-ray radiation can be harmful to the development of the puppies, it is advised not to take X-rays unless there is a medical reason. Furthermore, it is important that your dog does not use any medication during pregnancy. Deworm and deflea the female before the start of her heat cycle.
It is important that a female dog gets used to the place where she will give birth several weeks before delivery. This should be a quiet place because if the dog becomes stressed, it can negatively affect the birth. Additionally, the area should be spacious, comfortable, draft-free, and easy to keep clean. It is also recommended to put a border around it so the puppies cannot wander off. Most breeders use a whelping box for this. You can buy one in the store or make one yourself.
A few days before delivery, the mammary glands begin to swell. As soon as the female becomes restless, eats less, frequently needs to go outside, and starts nesting, the birth is imminent. About 12 to 24 hours before delivery, the temperature drops by 0.5 to 1.5 degrees Celsius, often accompanied by shivering. Therefore, it is advisable to measure the temperature several times during pregnancy so you know the normal body temperature. Always do this around the same time of day due to natural daily temperature fluctuations.
Once the female lies in her whelping box with her tail away from her body, pants heavily, frequently licks her vulva, and finally starts pushing, she has begun giving birth. The duration of labor varies per dog. The dilation phase lasts on average 12 hours, followed by the birth of a puppy every 15 to 45 minutes. It is important to stay with your dog to monitor everything and assist if necessary (e.g., removing the membranes). The umbilical cord can be disinfected with some Betadine. If the umbilical cord continues to bleed, it is important to tie it off with strong thread (disinfected in spirit/alcohol).
Call the veterinarian immediately if:
- The female is overdue
- She pushes for 30 minutes without progress (45 minutes for the first puppy)
- She weakly pushes for 1-2 hours without progress
- She does not push for 2-3 hours while there are still puppies in the uterus
- The female appears ill (vomiting and diarrhea around birth are normal)
- She has foul-smelling, oddly colored discharge or loses a lot of blood from the vulva
