First Stage of Dog Labor: Start of Contractions
The first stage is cervix relaxation and the start of intermittent contractions. However, you are not likely to see the contractions in the birthing process.
Your dog will act restless during this stage, travel in and out of the nesting box, pant, dig, and sometimes even vomit. She will likely refuse food. This stage can last as long as 12 hours.
Second Stage of Dog Labor: Stronger Contractions and Birth
The second stage of labor begins with stronger, more frequent uterine contractions that eventually lead to the birth of a puppy. Puppies are usually born every 30-60 minutes, with 10-15 minutes of hard straining. Expect some puppies to be born tail first, as this is not abnormal for dogs.
It is normal for the mother to take a break during the whelping process, but it is important to know when to be concerned and call your vet.
Signs for concern include:
Why do puppies come out green?
Why was the puppy born green? A chemical called biliverdin, which makes bile (and sometimes healing bruises) turn green is the culprit behind Fiona’s unique color. The level of biliverdin in Fiona’s birth sac was uncommonly high, staining her fur. The condition is not dangerous, just rare.
Why in the world is this puppy green? The rare phenomenon is thought to happen when light-colored puppies come in contact with biliverdin, a green pigment found in bile. It’s the same pigment that makes bruises turn green. It essentially dyes their fur in the womb, and the color fades over time.
How do you tell if your dog has a retained placenta?
No puppy is born within four hours of your bitch passing a green or red/brown vaginal discharge (after two hours, be prepared to call the vet).