Here's a crash course on what to look for:
3 stages of labor:
first stage- Uterine contractions, dilation of cervix, abdominal discomfort, panting; may last 3 to 6 houirs. The dam may refuse to eat and may have loose stools or a water bag may appear.
2nd Stage - Expulsion of the fetal sac (water bag). This is no reason to panic. The dam may take long naps with the water bag just lying at the vulva with occasional contractions for two or three hours and still be okay. If she is pushing steadily for an hour with no results and nothing in the vaginal canal, you should get in touch with your vet.
The pup's head or tail may be presented first. It is perfectly normal to have posterior presentation. Do not interfere too quickly. Encourage her to continue pushing.
Third Stage - Expulsion of the fetal membranes. The placenta (after-birth) should pass after each pup. Please observe if a placenta has not passed for each pup and notify your vet. The bitch should have an injection of Posterior Oxytocin Pituitary (POP) if she has retained a placenta.
Complications:
If the dam has been pushing hard and steady for half an hour and there is no pup in sight, put on a surgical sterile gove and insert your finger in the vaginal canal to feel if there is a pup in the canal. This is called "feathering" and sometimes will make the bitch get down to business and push some more. If the pup is right there, another few pushes should get it out. If not, alert your vet immediately.
Other danger signs before, during, and after whelping - Call Your Vet
- Clonstant hard labor for more than an hour with no results
- Green or odorous discharge from the vulva (be very concerned if this happens before the first pup is whelped.
- An interval of two hours between pups with occasional hard labor
- Any part of a pup stuck or protruding from the vaginal canal
- One hour of hard labor and no puppies
- Three hours withj no labor between pups and you think there is another pup.
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