🍼 Prenatal Care: Setting the Stage

Pregnancy and birth can be an exciting journey for both dog and owner. To support a smooth delivery, it’s crucial to begin with the right prenatal care:

• 📆 Track the mating date—gestation is ~63 days (range: 58–68 days)
• 🥣 From day 35, increase food to 2x normal; by nursing, it may reach 3x
• 🐶 Feed a high-quality puppy food—no need for supplements, and avoid calcium
• 🏃 Light exercise can continue until 4–6 weeks into pregnancy
• 🚫 Avoid exposure to other dogs 3 weeks before and after birth (canine herpes risk)

📸 Pregnancy Monitoring

• 📅 Day 25: Ultrasound can confirm pregnancy (heartbeats visible)
• 📅 Day 35: Blood test can confirm pregnancy (but not count puppies)
• 📅 Day 45+: X-rays can count pups accurately—crucial to ensure none are retained after labor

🏠 Whelping Setup

Designate a calm, warm, and secure whelping area well in advance. The mother should feel at home there, and puppies should be confined safely.

⏳ Signs of Impending Labor

• 🌡️ Rectal temperature drops below 100°F (~24 hours before labor)
• 😟 Restlessness, digging, panting, shivering, vomiting
• ⏱️ Stage 1 lasts 6–12 hours (uterine contractions, cervix dilation)

🐶 Delivery: What to Expect

Each pup should arrive every 45–60 minutes with 10–30 minutes of active pushing. Some moms may take a break (up to 4 hours) mid-labor—this is normal.

• 🟢 Green discharge should be followed by a puppy within 30 minutes
• 🐾 Puppies may be born tail-first—this is normal
• 🧼 If the mother doesn’t clean the puppy, remove the membranes and rub the pup with a clean towel
• ✂️ Tie and cut the umbilical cord about 1 inch from the body
• 🥬 Avoid letting the mom eat all the placentas—can cause vomiting

📞 Call Your Vet If:

• ⏱️ 30–60 minutes of hard contractions without a pup
• ⏳ 4+ hours pass between pups and more are expected
• 🌡️ Labor doesn’t start within 24 hours of the temperature drop
• 😖 Obvious pain, weakness, or past 70 days pregnant

🩺 Normal Post-Birth Signs

• 🌡️ Temporary mild fever in mom (within 24–48 hours)
• 💧 Odorless green/red-brown vaginal discharge may last up to 8 weeks

⚠️ Common Postpartum Conditions

Metritis (Uterine Infection)

• 🔥 Fever, foul-smelling discharge, lethargy, loss of appetite, reduced milk
• 🚨 May require emergency care and spaying

Eclampsia (Calcium Deficiency)

• 😵 Seen mostly in toy breeds during peak lactation
• 😰 Nervousness, stiffness, tremors, seizures—call your vet immediately!

Mastitis (Breast Infection)

• 🔴 Painful, red, hot mammary glands
• 🍼 Pups should continue nursing to help drain infected glands

Agalactia (No Milk)

• 🥛 Ensure proper hydration, nutrition, and calm environment
• 🧪 Vet intervention needed if no milk or colostrum is produced
• 🩸 Puppies may need plasma injections for immune protection

📈 Puppy Development Timeline

• 🍼 Puppies nurse until 6 weeks, but may begin solids at 4 weeks
• 🏠 Adoption age: 8 weeks or later

📋 Birthing Checklist Summary

🔧 Ask A Vet Can Help

Worried about your pregnant dog or her delivery process? Use the Ask A Vet app to consult with experienced veterinarians 24/7—get guidance on birthing signs, emergencies, and newborn care. 🐕🩺📱

🐾 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Bringing new puppies into the world is magical—but it comes with responsibility. With the right preparation and veterinary support, you can guide your dog through a safe and successful birthing experience. 🐶🧡