Pregnancy/ Gestation period in dogs is regularly 63 days, fluctuations within the range of 58–68 days is considered normal. The first pregnancy/ gestation is commonly shorter.

It is recommended to visit the animal clinic for pre-whelping check starting from Day 45 of the gestation period. During the visit, general examination of the animal and, if necessary, x-ray examination/ radiology and ultrasonography are performed.

Why is x-ray examination/ radiology necessary?

It is recommended to perform x-ray examination/ radiology to determine the size of the litter. Moreover, x-ray examination/ radiology helps determine the size and position of the puppies. It is especially important in case of small litters and small breeds, when the whelping may be complicated. Ultrasonography helps evaluate cardiac activity of the puppies. It is not sufficient to only use ultrasonography to count the number of puppies in the litter, as it may be complicated due to their movement in the uterus. Therefore, x-ray examination/ radiology is always recommended. You should not worry about radiation, as the dosage needed to make one image is very small and does not cause any damage to either the mother or foetuses.

Due date is getting closer

The owner has to prepare a place comfortable and suitable for whelping. It is essential to help the dog get used to this place. One or two weeks before the due date, it is recommended to perform an ultrasonography or x-ray examination/ radiology to determine the number of puppies. Additionally, during the week preceding the due date, it is advisable to measure the dog’s temperature twice a day. The normal body temperature in dogs ranges 38.2–38.8 ºC. Body temperature decrease by 1 ºC signals the beginning of the whelping in 12–24 hours.

With the whelping date approaching, the dog will spend most of the time resting. Immediately before the beginning of the process, the dog will start making the nest. The dog may look for a dark place, become restless, or start scratching and digging the ground. The latter is commonly associated with the contractions of the uterus, which are invisible but cause changes in the dog’s behaviour. Approximately one week before the due date, milk will appear in the teats, pubic and pelvic ligaments will become loose and the abdomen drops. Moreover, the dog may refuse to eat, the vulva will become swollen and viscous secretion may appear.  Discharge of dark green secretion flowing from the vulva mark the beginning of the labour.

Whelping

Labour duration and course differ and depend on the breed. Number of puppies, and previous whelpings. The process commonly lasts 4–8 hours or even longer if the litter is large. The labour can be divided into three stages.

During the labour stage I, the cervix starts dilating and bitch is very restless. It may make a nest, crawl under the furniture, dig and scratch the ground, shiver, look at her abdomen, and even vomit. The more the process develops towards labour stage II, the more intense all the symptoms become. Labour stage I may last 4–24 hours.

During labour stage II, the bitch will lie on the side, it will sometimes stand up and move around. The amniotic sac will rupture and amniotic fluid will flow from the vagina, abdominal contraction will now become visible and the temperature will increase to normal. The first puppy must be born within the maximum of 6 hours after the beginning of the second stage.  When the foetus has moved into the pelvic cavity, abdominal straining will develop and the foetus is normally pressed out with 2–4 pangs. 60% of the puppies are delivered in anterior presentation and 40% – in posterior presentation. The puppies are commonly delivered at 30-minute intervals, however, this period may become longer towards the end of the whelping. The interval of 5–60 minutes (maximum 2 hours) is considered normal.  During whelping, the bitch will commonly be lying on its side. However, the dogs whelping for the first time may be standing. In this case, it is important to monitor, that the bitch would not step on the new-born puppies.

The main task of the owner is to create peaceful environment for the dog. The presence of other dogs or strangers may interfere with the process and result in prolonged labour. Interfering during the resting period between two deliveries out may slow down or interrupt the entire process. The same may happen if the interference occurs during the actual delivery of the puppy.

The puppy is born in an amniotic, which is regularly removed by the dog. The bitch will normally lick the puppy to clean and dry it, and will chew through the umbilical cord at approximately 2 cm from the puppy’s belly. If the bitch does not do that, the owner has to remove the amniotic sac and the umbilical cord at 2 cm from the puppy’s belly by crushing it and tearing, tying it with a thread if necessary. Puppy’s mouth and nose must be cleaned of mucosa (by sucking) and the whole body must be dried and massaged using a towel. By that time, the puppy will become really vocal. After drying the puppy, you should place it close to the bitch to suck the milk. Most bitches react to dead puppies in exactly the same way as to those alive as long as their body temperature is close to normal. Labour stage II usually lasts 3 – 12 hours, less frequently even up to 24 hours depending on the number of puppies.

Labour stage III starts after the birth of the last puppy and lasts up to two hours. Dogs deliver placenta immediately after the delivery of each puppy, several puppies, or at the end of the whelping. The dogs commonly eat the placentas. One has to be careful with dogs with fragile digestive system, as eating numerous placentas may lead to indigestion. If placenta is not delivered immediately and if a part of the umbilical cord is out of the vulva, the dog may pull it out with its teeth.

After whelping

During the first 2–3 days, red and watery uteral secretion may be discharged. During the next several weeks, the quantity of the secretion will gradually decrease and its colour will change to reddish brown. After two or three weeks after whelping, only very small quantity (if any) of light red or reddish brown limy secretion may be discharged. The secretion should not have any bad smell. It is essential to monitor the bitch’s condition.

When is it necessary to consult a veterinarian?

You should consult the veterinarian if:

• The due date has passed and the puppies were not born;
• The interval between the delivery of two puppies is longer than three hours or if no straining occurs;
• Visible contraction and straining develop, but the puppy is not delivered within half an hour;
• Greenish red or brown secretion is discharged from the vulva, but no puppy is delivered during 2–4 hours;
• Amniotic fluid flew out 2–3 hours ago, but no puppies have been delivered since then;
• Body temperature of the mother is increasing and the animal is lethargic, but contractions continue.

What usually happens in the clinic?

If it is necessary to go to the clinic, place the puppies into a warm soft nest (basket/ box). You should also put bottles with warm water there.

The veterinarian will examine the animal and evaluate its condition. Certainly x-ray examination/ radiology or ultrasonography will be performed and the treatment plan will be developed: whether to induce contractions or perform a caesarean section.