DOG WHELPING 101

Whether it's your first time whelping (the process of a female dog giving birth to puppies) or you're experienced, learning more about the process with some basic practices will help you become more prepared and informed.

Prepare for whelping

A whelping dog typically has very few issues during birth, but it's helpful to know what to look for so you can be prepared to help if something arises during labor. Over the course of 58 to 63 days from date of tie (the process of a male and female mating) and a successful tie occurred - expecting mothers will start to show signs of Impending Whelping about 48 hours prior to whelp and will go through three whelping stages, with the first stage there's a few things you should watch for:

• Temperature - your dog's temperature may drop around 12 to 24 hours before active labor begins.
• Eating habits - as the due date approaches, it's common for mothers to feel uncomfortable, anxious, and uneasy. She may not eat her food that day and (not all dog's refuse to eat). Make sure she has plenty of water available to drink.
• Change in behavior - some mothers become more restless, become needy, and may pant and will urinate more frequently and have loose stool due to the added pressure of puppies preparing to deliver.

Second stage - uterine contractions and dilation of the cervix takes place, with a few things you should watch for:

• Nesting - nesting is when your dog seeks out a place to lie down. She will appear restless, digging (appears to be scratching at the ground (floor), frequently checking her vulva (external genitalia) and experience contractions.

The second and third stage of labor happen simultaneously, and you may notice a clear or white sac protruding from the vulva, whelping should be imminent (soon). *If you notate a green discharge - it should be followed by a fetus, as this indicates placental separation.*

First time mothers should be attended by their owners until at least one or two puppies have been born.

How to help a dog during labor

Now that you know the basics to Signs of Whelping - what can you do to help your dog through this stage? It typically takes 0-30 minutes for each puppy to be born. Monitor mom - It is common for two puppies to be delivered right after one another, with two placentas. Head-first and tail-first presentations of puppies are normal. Up to two hours between puppies is considered normal. Mom will relax and begin resting and taking care of the puppies whelped in-between puppies - this is normal. Mom will be have whelped all puppies when no more puppies have been born after a period of 3-4 hours and no signs of contractions (active pushing). Each puppy should be delivered with a placenta and your dog has almost certainly consumed them without you noticing. Consuming the placenta by mom is neither beneficial nor detrimental, but consumption of all placentas can result in diarrhea, which is normal. *Contact your veterinarian if more than two hours have passed between the delivery of puppies and mom is still actively pushing as there may be a complication.*

how long is labor?

On average, a dog will be in labor 6-12 hours before the start of stage 1 labor, but may last up to 24-36 hours is normal.

Vaginal discharge - what's normal?

After giving birth, it is normal for moms to have some vaginal discharge (lochia), which can range in color from straw (clear tinged with streaks of red), to green, to red, to brown. Lochia usually persists for about three weeks, but may last up to eight weeks long. It should progressively darken in color and decrease over time. Lochia should not have a foul odor. If a foul odor is noted or the amount of lochia increases at any time, seek veterinary care, as this could be a sign of infection or retained placenta. 

Potential whelping problems

As previously mentioned - most dogs whelp without issue. However, there are some exceptions, and there are some common signs your dog is experiencing whelping problems that warrant calling or visiting your veterinarian:

• Discolored discharge - black, dark green, and excessive discharge - puppy placentas are green but not in excess and generally not before a puppy is born. A bit of green discharge (as mentioned above) is okay, but in excess and proceeds with no delivery of puppy is not okay.
• Decreased milk production - little to no milk production, lack of interest in puppies, or aggression toward puppies is not okay.
• Difficulty Whelping - your dog is actively pushing or straining for more than two-to-three hours and no pups have whelped, is not okay.
• Stagnation or Exhaustion - your dog has rested for over three hours but you still suspect or know there are more puppies that have not been whelped, is not okay.
• Whelping Late - failure to start labor, most dog whelp around 63 days plus or minus 5 days from last tie (between 58 and 68 days). If your dog goes more than 68 days past last breeding date, a veterinarian should be consulted.

​Now that you know what's involved in Dog Whelping, you'll be ready to help when the time comes.

Article written by
American Morkshire Terrier Club