Whelping
The Length of pregnancy in the
bitch is 63 days but may vary between 56 and 72 days since both early
and late matings may be fertile. Bitches gain weight in the last
third of gestation when there is a maximum foetal growth, energy
requirements increase from this time with an initial increase of 15-20%
from the normal diet. During the last week of pregnancy food
consumption should be doubled. Provided the diet is well balanced
and contain suitable amounts of vitamins and minerals it is not
necessary to provide extra supplementation although it may be necssary
to divide food into 3 or 4 meals during the day to the foetus limiting
stomach capacity. Peak energy requirements are during the 3rd and
5th week of lactation, an extra 25% of energy may need to be provided
per puppy which may bring requirements to four times that of
normal. For the control of worm infections it is necessary to
admininster medication during pregnancy to reduce or prevent
transmission to the puppies. It is advisable to ensure that the
routine vaccination has been performed before mating.
Before the expected time of whelping it is best to allow the bitch to
become accustomed to the whelping box where the delivery will take
place, a large box lined with several layers of newspaper that can
easily be changed during whelping is best, then lined with a vet-bed
when she has finished.
The approach to whelping is indicated by a few signs that may or may
not be seen:
-
Relaxation of the pelvic ligaments cause the hind
quarters to have a sunken appearance (difficult to see in long hair
breeds)
-
The vulva becomes swollen
-
Slight mucous discharge from the vagina (the dam may
lick this away)
-
The dam may refuse food (others eat right up to time
of delivery)
-
The dam may take frequent trips to the bed and
scratch the bedding into a nest
-
24 hours before whelping the bitch may begin to
lactate
The first stage of whelping may last from 1-12 hours with intermittent,
spasmodic uterine contractions which increase in the strength and
regularity as the first stage progresses. The bitch shows signs
or restlessness and glances frequently at her flanks, shivering and
panting are a frequent accompaniment and often she will not want to be
left alone. In the second stage the contractions become stronger
and the interval between contractions decreases. The time between
the onset of straining and the birth of the foetus is variable, it may
be as short as 10-30 minutes, but may take longer in younger animals.
If the dam has been straining for greater than 60 minutes or a green
discharge is present you should seek a veterinary surgeons advice.
The sac which surrounds the foetus is often seen at the vulva during
straining. This may either rupture spontaneously, be broken by
the dam or is unruptured and the foetus born within it. The dam
will normally break the sac if the foetus is bortn within it, but this
should be done quickly if she fails to do so. After the delivery
of the pup the dam usually commences vigorous licking, removing
membranes and fluid from the pups face and promoting respiration.
If she fails to do this it may be done for her using a soft clean towel.
Usually the dam will sever the umbilical cord with her teeth, ensure
she does not excessively chew the umbilicus since this may damage the
pup. If the umbilical cord is not severed this can be achieved by
tying a piece of nylon around the umbilical cord 2 inches down from the
pups naval and cut below the nylon with a pair of blunt scissors.
Pups should be left with the dame during the remainder of delivery.
The birth of a pup is usually followed by an expulsion of placenta,
there should be a placenta for each pup ie. pup-placenta-pup-placenta
etc. The subsequent pups may be delivered quickly although the
interval between may take upto 6 hours. The time taken from the
birth of the first to the last pup is variable between 6 to 12
hours. As soon as the pups are active they should be encouraged
to suck, they need to have sucked within 2 hours of birth. The
dam should be given the opportunity to excerise shortly after she has
delivered the pups. The bedding may then be cleaned and the dam
given food. It is likely that in the first few days she may
delvelop diarrhoea especially if the afterbirths were eaten. The
dam will spend much of her time in the nest but should be encouraged to
leave for short periods to exercise in the garden.
Recommended temperature of 25 degrees C is only necessary for the first
couple of days, this often is unbearable for the dame and can be safely
reduced tto 20 degrees C as long as draughts are avoided. One
method of reducing heat for the dam is to heat only half the box so the
dam can move away. Materials used for bedding should be washable
or easily disposed of and soiled materials should be removed frequently.
Weaning can begin from 3 weeks of age when lapping of semi solid foods
can be encouraged. This can be done by the pup licking food off a
finger and gradually placing the finger into the food. The
weaning process may last between 3-5 weeks, the volume of food in this
stage may be increased, there are serveral propriety brands of food
designed for this purpose. While the food intake increases the
dam should be removed for increasing periods of time, normally by 5
weeks the dam spends very little time in the nest through the
day. The pups should be wormed at 2,5,8 and 12 weeks, then once a
month until 6 months of age. The dam should be wormed at the same
time as the pups, the veterinary surgeon will advise you on the dose.
** pregnant bitches should also be wormed daily from day 40 to 2 days
post whelping, with a reduced dose. Ask one of our
Veterinary Surgeons or Nurses at the surgery.
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