Preparation For Whelping

When a female dog is pregnant there are several things you should do in your home to help the whelping process. Here are some helpful tips to help you prepare for the big day.



1. A whelping box should be constructed using either plywood or sturdy cardboard. For a medium sized dog, the box should 4 feet square. Line the box with newspapers and blankets to provide some soft bedding for the puppies. The box should be built a few weeks before whelping so that the mother can become comfortable in the box. It should also be placed in a quite place where there is not a lot of traffic.



2. Radiographs or Ultrasound should be done prior to whelping. This is very helpful for several reasons. Radiographs can be taken between the 51-55 day . This will help determine how many puppies to expect and how big they are. You can take measurements of the puppy or kittens skull size and compare to the mothers birth canal. This can help predict if a Cesarean Section may need to be done. Ultrasound can be done as early as 3 - 4 weeks. Ultrasound in a great way to confirm a pregnancy early. However it is hard to get a definite estimate on how many puppies or kittens may be present.



3. There may be some pre-labor signs 8 - 24 hours before whelping. The mother can become restless, getting up, lying down, and changing her position frequently. She may paw or scratch at her bedding. This is called nesting behavior. She may also have a lack of interest in her food this is normal for most dogs. The rectal temperature will drop below 99.0 degrees 12 hours or less prior to whelping. Temperature can be taken with a rectal thermometer with lubricating jelly on the end. Milk can be expressed from the nipples near or at the time of birth.



3. Provide a warm place for the puppies to lay. Things that can be used at home are a heating pad or hot water bottle. Make sure you place the heating pad close to the mother so that they can stay warm and nurse. Keep heating pads and water bottles to a lower heat. You do not want to lay them directly on them. Covering them with a thin towel or cloth would be adequate.



4. Make sure the puppies or kitten are nursing. It is important that they stay warm while nursing to digest the mothers milk properly. If the mother has any abnormal discharge from the mammary glands such as bloody milk, or greenish yellow pus, she should be seen by a Veterinarian immediately. Some puppies can be shunned by a mother and will not nurse like the others. If you notice a puppy is not growing as rapid as the rest, you may want to buy a milk replacer and bottle feed the pup. When bottle feeding, puppies and kittens should be fed every 2 hours for the first 2 weeks. They should also be stimulated to go to the bathroom by taking a warm damp cotton ball and gently rubbing their bottom. You should do this after each feeding. Once the puppy or kitten is 3 weeks old you can feed them every 3 - 4 hours until they are 6-8 weeks old. At that age you can introduce dry dog or cat food. It may be easier to moisten the food with some warm water. If a puppy or kitten every becomes weak and or cold it should be seen by a Veterinarian immediately.



5. When the mother does go into labor there are a few things you will want around. You will need plenty of clean towels and a nasal aspirator for nasal mucus removal. If the mother does not seem interested in cleaning and stimulating the pups once they are born, you will need to assist. First thing is to break the membranous sac and free the puppy from inside. Then tie the umbilical cord off with some dental floss or string and cut it. Then using your dry clean towels rub the puppy or kitten gently stimulating it to breath and move. Clear the mucus from the nostrils with the nasal aspirator. Once the puppy or kitten is moving and breathing, snuggle it up to momma to stay warm and start nursing. This rarely needs to be done as most mothers give birth very naturally with no assistance.

6. After each puppy or kitten is born the mother will usually eat the placenta. They do not have to eat this, so if you want to dispose of it you may. Most puppies or kittens are born every 1 - 2 hours. They can go as long as 3 - 4 hours in between. If there has not been a pup/kitten born after 2 hours and momma seems painful and straining you should call your Veterinarian. Any sign of straining and pain usually means a problem. If momma is contracting but does not seem to be straining then she is probably fine. Most mothers do not have a problem giving birth but every once in a while a Cesarean section may be needed.

7. Once the mother is finished giving birth let her lie down with the puppies or kittens and rest. Take her out to use the bathroom and eat if she wants. Make sure she does not leave the puppies or kittens for to long. Momma and the puppies or kittens should be seen by a Veterinarian 24 - 48 hours later. With some dog breeds the tails and or the dewclaws may need to be removed. This should be done between 3 - 5 days with your Veterinarian. If any of the puppies or kittens are not nursing or thriving very well, contact your Vet.