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What should I expect?

We have few professional dog breeders in our area. Most breeders are first timers and one timers, who are often inexperienced and are unsure what to expect when their bitch goes into labour. Many panic! The aim of these notes is to inform you of what to expect, but more importantly how to spot when things are going wrong and when you need to call the vet"

Labour in the bitch - what to expect

Labour occurs in 3 stages

Stage 1: Getting ready

Buy a digital rectal thermometer and assess her normal temperature (37.2-39.2 is normal) The Bitch's rectal temp will drop to as low as 35-36 C when stage 1 starts. She may start panting, look restless. She may pace about and even exhibit nest-making behaviour. You can expect stage 2 to start within the next 12 hours. Stage 1 Lasts 6-12 hrs, up to 36hrs in 1st pregnancy.

Stage 2: Delivery of the pups

  • The most reliable signs that stage 2 has started are
  • The bitch will be seen to strain (having contractions)
  • She will pass foetal fluids (her waters have broken)
  • Her rectal temp will return to normal. Stage 2 Lasts 3-12 hrs (rarely up to 24 hrs)

Stage 3: passing of placenta.

 (This mixes in with 2nd stage with multiple births)

Spotting 2nd stage labour is important, as the vet does not intervene unless 2nd stage fails to proceed normally.

So to reiterate: Check for signs she is in 2nd stage!

  • Has passed fluids (water bag has broken)
  • Visible abdominal straining (having contractions)
  • Rectal temperature has returned to normal

If any of these are present then 2nd stage labour has begun.
 

Normal Progression

First Pup: Within 4 hours
Interval between pups: 5min - 2 hrs
The whole of second stage labour (ie first to last pup) : 3-12 hrs (up to 24hrs rarely)

The above is all normal. If it does not follow this pattern then it is worth having your Bitch checked by a vet.

The following are indications for seeing the vet:

  • Strong regular contractions for 20-30 min with no pup -> urgently see vet
  • Foetal fluids (waters) passed 2-3 hours ago but nothing since
  • Weak irregular contractions only for 2-4 hours.
  • 2nd stage Labour goes beyond 12 hours
  • Greenish discharge but no pup for 2-4 hours
  • 2-4 hours since last pup and sure more are present


Following birth

An elevated temperature of up to 39.5 C is not unusual for 1-2 days following birth
A clear to bloody discharge may continue at a low level for 3-6 weeks
Ensure she is producing milk from sufficient teats to feed the whole litter.