🐾 Vet Tips 2025: First Aid for Difficult Births in Dogs and Cats 🐶🐱🆘

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

🍼 Understanding Normal Birth Timing

In dogs, puppies are typically born 58–72 days after mating. For cats, the window is usually 63–65 days. But because canine sperm can live 4–11 days in the uterus, predicting an exact date is tricky unless ovulation timing is used.

🔍 Important tip: If you’re breeding on purpose, work with your vet to time ovulation accurately and know when to expect delivery. X-rays after day 50 can confirm the number of babies to ensure the mother has delivered all offspring.

🚨 When to Call the Vet Immediately

• ⏱️ Strong, regular contractions for 15–30 minutes with no baby
• ⏱️ Intermittent contractions for over 1.5–2 hours with no progress
• 💚 Green vaginal discharge before the first puppy or kitten (should be followed by delivery within 5–10 minutes)
• 💉 Heavy bleeding or signs of pain, lethargy, or collapse

🏥 Emergency C-Sections

📊 Around 66% of dystocia cases seen by vets require a C-section. Plan ahead by locating your nearest emergency vet that can perform C-sections.

📦 Safe Birthing Setup

Create a warm, clean, low-stress space with easy access and visibility. Include:

• 🧺 A whelping or queening box
• 🐶 Puppy rails (to prevent crushing)
• 🔥 Warmth sources like a SnuggleSafe disc or hot water bottle (not heating pads!)
• 🧼 Clean towels, scissors, dental floss, and iodine

👩‍⚕️ When You Can Help — Carefully

If a baby is visible but appears stuck:

1. Wait for a contraction.
2. Using a clean towel, gently pull toward the mother’s tail — never upward or forcefully.
3. If the baby doesn’t move easily — stop and call your vet.

🧼 Aftercare for Newborns

• 🐣 Tear away the membrane if mom doesn’t
• ✂️ Tie and cut the umbilical cord if she doesn’t, applying iodine
• 🌡️ Keep them warm! 85°F room temp is ideal for neonates
• 🧸 Allow movement away from the heat source

🩺 Watch for These Postpartum Complications

• 🔴 Normal: Red or brown vaginal discharge for up to several weeks
• ⚠️ Abnormal: Fever, lethargy, poor appetite, or foul odor = call the vet
• ⚡ Eclampsia: Muscle tremors, poor mothering, or seizures = calcium emergency

🚫 What Not to Do

• ❌ Don’t put fingers into the birth canal
• ❌ Don’t pull on the baby’s head or umbilical cord
• ❌ Don’t use heating pads
• ❌ Don’t interrupt the birth frequently unless there’s a concern

📦 Summary Checklist

• 📅 Know your pet’s due window
• 🏥 Pre-locate emergency vet care
• 🧼 Prepare the space early
• 🧯 Know when to step in — and when not to
• 👀 Monitor mom closely for any signs of distress

📲 Need Emergency Advice? Ask A Vet

Download the Ask A Vet app to connect with veterinary professionals like Dr Duncan Houston 24/7 for real-time birth support or emergency advice 🐶🐱📞