Pregnancy and labor in dogs
A female dog is pregnant for an average of 62 days. In general, 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 puppies become too large and risk dying in the womb due to a lack of nutrients. There is also a chance that the puppies will no longer be able to be born naturally. If your dog has been pregnant for more than 67 days, it is advisable to contact your vet.
The embryos can be felt in the uterus when the female has been pregnant for 24 to 32 days. From that point onward, an ultrasound can confirm whether or not she is pregnant. It is only after 45 days that the number of puppies she is carrying can be determined with certainty. By then, the puppies’ skeletons are developed enough to be visible on an X-ray. Because X-rays can be harmful to the puppies’ development, they are not recommended unless there is a medical reason to perform them. It is also important that your dog does not take any medication during pregnancy. Therefore, deworm and treat the female for fleas before she comes into heat.
It is important for the female to become accustomed several weeks before giving birth to the place where she will deliver. This should be a quiet place, because stress can have a negative effect on the birth. It should also be spacious, comfortable, draft-free, and easy to keep clean. It is also recommended that it have a raised edge so the puppies cannot simply wander away. Most breeders use a whelping box for this purpose. You can buy one in a store or build one yourself.
A few days before giving birth, the mammary glands begin to swell. Once the female becomes restless, eats much less, needs to go outside regularly, and starts building a nest, the birth is not far away. Approximately 12 to 24 hours before giving birth, her temperature drops by 0.5 to 1.5 degrees, often accompanied by shivering. It is therefore advisable to measure her temperature several times during pregnancy so you know her normal body temperature. Always do this at roughly the same time of day, because body temperature naturally changes throughout the day.
Once the female is lying in her whelping box with her tail away from her body, panting heavily, frequently licking her vulva, and finally straining, she has started giving birth. The duration of labor varies from dog to dog. The dilation stage lasts an average of 12 hours, after which a puppy is born every 15 to 45 minutes. It is important to stay with your dog to monitor everything and help if necessary, for example by removing the membranes. The umbilical cord can be disinfected with Betadine. If the umbilical cord continues to bleed, it is important to tie it off with strong thread disinfected with surgical spirit or alcohol.
Call the vet as soon as:
- The female is overdue
- She strains for 30 minutes without making progress (45 minutes for the first puppy)
- She strains weakly for 1–2 hours without making progress
- She does not strain for 2–3 hours while there are still puppies in the uterus
- The female appears ill (vomiting and diarrhea around the time of birth are normal)
- She has foul-smelling or unusually colored discharge, or loses a lot of blood from the vulva
