Take the bitch’s temperature morning and night during the week prior to the expected due date. When there is a drop in temperature to 36c - 37c, 24-48 hours prior to whelping, Stage one has begun and may take 1 to 24 hours.
1. The bitch lies stretched out with her head between her forelegs.
2. She becomes progressively more restless.
3. She looks at and licks her vulval area.
4. She may refuse food.
5. She may vomit.
6. The vulva is soft swollen and has a clear mucous discharge.
7. She begins to shiver and pant.
8. She starts to push and strain, Second stage labour has begun.
9. Time the bitch from this stage.
10. She generally starts nesting and tearing the bedding between contractions and panting episodes.
11. Intermittent regular or irregular pains continue from one to three hours, sometimes longer. If longer than 2 hours call the Vet.
12. Contractions become strong and regular at approx. 3 minute intervals. She crooks her tail like a cup handle. Then there is the appearance of the water bag.
13. The bag usually breaks by itself, don’t let the bitch break it. It should be filled with an almost clear, pinky-grey fluid.
14. There is a large swelling above the vulva and the whelp appears usually headfirst with its front paws near the chin or ears, but often the tail and hips or hind feet appear first.
15. The puppy is born after 2 or 3 contractions, break it out of the membranes by pinching the bag under the puppy's chin and peel it off carefully.
16. Draw the placenta out with steady firm pressure with the next contraction. Allow the bitch to clean the puppy while you are doing this.
17. Milk the cord from the placenta towards the puppy then crush and pinch the cord to sever it about 1" from the pup's belly. The cord seldom bleeds if you sever it this way.
18. Dry the puppy vigorously allowing it to cry loudly this helps to clear its airways of any fluids. Put it straight to the teat to suckle.
19. The bitch may eat 1-2 placentas but doesn't need to.
20. Weigh the puppy and record its details.
21. Clean up the bedding if necessary between pups.
22. Offer the bitch some warm milk and glucose now.
23. Allow the bitch to rest for up to 2-3 hours between pups, if she is nursing her pups and is relaxed and not distressed.
24. Make sure placentas, one for each puppy are accounted for.
25. Take the bitch and litter to the vet within 24 hours of whelping for a "clean out" post whelping needle and checkup.
Witches Brew 1 teaspoon of powdered glucose - one teaspoon of coffee - one capful of Brandy, in one cup of boiled water. Used with extreme care to increase the strength of contractions ONLY if you are sure the puppy is engaged, the cervix is dilated but the contractions are weak. (5 ml is the dose).
This can also help to resuscitate a puppy in which case you dip your little finger in the mixture and just put the wet finger in the pups mouth do not allow it to drip down the pups throat. Make sure that the puppy's head is not raised so the risk of dripping down the throat is minimised.
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