Content
- 1. Dog gestation time
- 2. Temperature of the bitch before delivery
- 3. Behavior of the bitch before giving birth
- 4. Pregnant bitch needs the tutor's company
- 5. Pregnant bitch needs to choose the nest
- 6. Lack of appetite in pregnant bitches
- 7. Hygiene before giving birth to a bitch
- 8. Signs that the bitch is going to give birth: mucous membranes
- 9. Signs that the bitch is going to give birth: contractions
- How long does it take for a bitch to give birth to all the puppies?
- How to know if you still have puppies to be born?
- visit a veterinarian
Witnessing the birth of a litter of puppies is a very exciting time for both the mother and human companions. As with people, it is normal that before giving birth some symptoms of labor in bitches that will make you pay more attention to your dog and be able to accompany her in the moments she needs most. That's why at PeritoAnimal, we've prepared this guide to easily identify if your bitch is about to bring her litter of puppies into the world and how you can help her.
1. Dog gestation time
Knowing the timing of the mating is necessary to determine how many days your dog has been pregnant and the approximate timing of delivery. On average, the gestation period of bitches lasts between 59 and 65 days, increasing the chances from day 62. This will depend on the breed of dog in question and the age.
2. Temperature of the bitch before delivery
What are the signs that the bitch is going to give birth? One of the ways to tell that the moment is coming is by taking her body temperature. About 12 hours before delivery, the bitch's body temperature drops a few degrees, and it is normally at 38ºC. You can measure your dog's temperature with a rectal thermometer, which can be used when the dog enters the last week of pregnancy.
Consult the veterinarian about how to measure the temperature, but if you notice that it bothers the dog, it is better to give up so that she can remain calm during this delicate phase. If the temperature rises above 38 degrees and the dog has other symptoms such as fever or malaise, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
3. Behavior of the bitch before giving birth
One of the signs that the bitch is going to give birth is agitation. This will make her try get away from unknown people, especially people who don't have much confidence with her, and avoid contact with other pets in the house. This moment is quite delicate as nervousness prevents her from feeling good about herself and you will find her agitated, regardless of whether she is standing, sitting or lying down.
4. Pregnant bitch needs the tutor's company
Despite this nervousness, the bitch seeks the company of the tutor because you are the person you trust the most and feel the most secure with. Because of this, a few days before the birth he will want to spend a lot of time with you, asking for attention and affection.
This does not mean that you should intervene when she gives birth, unless necessary. Accompany her during the birth so that she feels safe, but you should only intervene if there are problems with the birth.
5. Pregnant bitch needs to choose the nest
Choosing a nest, a place to give birth and raise the young, is extremely important for the mother-to-be. So she will start looking for a cozy and somewhat hidden place where she feels protected and it is possible that she will start spending more time in this chosen place than in her own bed.
Generally, it is best to respect the dog's decision about the place she has chosen to nest, as long as this does not pose a risk to her and the puppies. To know how to help give birth to the dog, one of the first steps is to put in the space she has chosen a comfortable bed and blankets so everyone stays warm and comfortable.
The birth will take place in this nest, either standing sideways or crouching, whichever seems more comfortable for the puppies to be born.
6. Lack of appetite in pregnant bitches
In addition to all this, how to know if the dog is going to give birth? Noting if she has a lack of appetite. many bitches lose their appetite between 12 and 24 hours before giving birth, so this is an easy sign to detect. However, it does not always occur and, on other occasions, bitches can even feed while giving birth, that is, between one puppy and another.
7. Hygiene before giving birth to a bitch
Hours before delivery, the bitch will begin to constantly lick your genitals, both to clean the area and to relieve the pain you feel. Likewise, this will help in expelling the puppies.
8. Signs that the bitch is going to give birth: mucous membranes
One of the symptoms the bitch will give birth to is that, as with humans, expels the mucus plug hours before delivery, which fulfills the function of protecting the uterus and offspring from bacteria and infections during pregnancy.
This is yellow or white in color and may be accompanied by some vaginal flow. From this moment on, the time it takes to give birth to a female dog is, at most, 12 hours.
9. Signs that the bitch is going to give birth: contractions
Contractions are the last symptoms that the bitch will give birth and indicate that the time of delivery is imminent. Rhythmic and repetitive movements of the belly can be seen, which can be seen especially if you are on your side. It is normal for your dog to have some pain during this phase.
How long does it take for a bitch to give birth to all the puppies?
The birth of a bitch lasts around 6 to 8 hours, depending on the number of puppies, the breed and the age of the bitch. The birth time between puppies is usually between 15 minutes and 2 hours, and can be extended by 3, 4 hours.
How to know if you still have puppies to be born?
To make sure the bitch has given birth to all the puppies, you can take her to the veterinarian for a pre-partum ultrasound to find out the number of puppies she is carrying. That way you only need to count the puppies to make sure the birth is over. If you notice that your bitch keeps pushing for 30 minutes to 60 minutes and no puppies are born, it is essential seek help from a professional.
To find out more information about how long it takes a dog to give birth to all the puppies, read this article by PeritoAnimal.
visit a veterinarian
At PeritoAnimal we recommend that the animals are seen by a trusted veterinarian for between 6 to 12 months to check the well being and health of the animal. Thus, the animals are monitored periodically and can be treated quickly if they have any changes.
However, when it comes to a pregnant bitch, as with humans, it is important that a veterinarian monitors the entire process to ensure the well-being of the bitch and puppies. He can also guide you about the care of the pregnant dog, with the birth and then with the newborn puppies.