How to Induce Labor in Dogs
Because the triggering mechanism for labor in dogs is not well understood, it is difficult to develop and select drugs that are completely safe for pregnant dogs. Ideally, a drug for inducing canine labor should induce whelping efficiently and within a predictable and short time frame after the treatment.
It should also induce a normal birth and should not come with harmful side effects. Unfortunately, several attempts at developing drugs in the past have led to pyometra and ruptured uteruses in dogs.
A case report from 2012 describes the first “safe, fast, and successful” induction of labor in a dog. The bitch in the case report was 3.5 years old and weighed 25kg, with no notable medical or surgical history. First, the bitch was sedated with an intravenous drip of xylazine.
An endoscopic examination of the cervix was then done after using nitroglycerine to confirm that the cervix was dilated. Once this was confirmed, oxytocin was injected in three doses 10 minutes apart. The bitch became restless, went off her food, and panted incessantly.
Straining then began two hours later. She gave birth three hours after the treatment and after one week she and her litter were in good health.
A study done in 2000 investigated the potential for using sodium cloprostenol to induce labor in dogs. To begin, non-pregnant Greyhounds were given sodium cloprostenol for 7 days. The dogs who got the higher doses exhibited more polydipsia (increased thirst) than those with lower doses.
In the second part of the experiment, pregnant dogs received the same treatment. Interestingly, giving these dogs sodium cloprostenol did induce labor, and the first puppy was born 2.9 hours after treatment. The study quotes that the “puppy survival rate was 6.0 +/- 0.8 per litter (range 4 to 9 pups).”
It was concluded that sodium cloprostenol given at a continuous low dose was effective at inducing labor in dogs during late pregnancy.
A study from 2004 looks at using the progesterone-receptor blocker aglepristone. For this study, six Beagles received aglepristone treatment at nine-hour intervals on day 58 of pregnancy. The first puppy was born between 32 and 56 hours of the treatment, meaning that the gestation time was shortened.
However, the study claims that treatment did not significantly influence puppy survival rates or birth weights, thus suggesting that this drug could be effective at inducing labor in dogs. However, this drug is not without its risks.
It was specifically made to be an abortifacient in pregnant animals. It also interacts with several other drugs, including ketoconazole and itraconazole. Lastly, it reduces the effectiveness of glucocorticoid treatment.
A study from 1999 looked at using fenprostalene to induce labor in dogs. This experiment involved 16 Beagles in their 56th to 58th days of pregnancy. Fenprostalene is a long-acting prostaglandin analog and was given alongside prifinium bromide, a nerve-blocking agent. Dogs will receive the drug twice.
After the fenprostalene injection without prifinium bromide, side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, and salivation occurred. When prifinium bromide was given alongside the other drug, no side effects were seen apart from colic symptoms. The one-week survival rate of puppies was highest for dogs who received both drugs.
The precise mechanisms behind dog labor are not fully understood yet. So, inducing labor in dogs always comes with some level of risk. As such, your vet may recommend other avenues of treatment before resorting to inducing labor.
If it is not safe for your bitch to continue her pregnancy, your vet may suggest aborting the pregnancy. Alizin is a drug that can cause abortion in pregnant dogs. It is most effective when given prior to day 35 after the mating, as the fetuses will not have developed bones yet.
Bitches given the drug later than 45 days may still abort their pups. Some side effects of this treatment include lack of appetite, excitement, vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. In rare cases, about 3% of the time, dogs may suffer from pyometra after treatment.
How Do I Know I Need to Induce Dog Labor?
Generally, when we think about inducing a dog’s labor, we often think about doing it when a dog is already in the early stages of labor but has not progressed into full active labor. That being said, sometimes, especially when a dog is overdue, our vet will suggest trying to get that labor going.
But how do you know your dog may need to be induced? Here are a few things to look for.
If in doubt of whether your dog needs assistance or not, speak with your veterinarian.
Is It Time for My Dog to Give Birth?
If this is your first time handling a pregnant dog, then you don’t want to accidentally push her to give birth before she’s ready.
Premature puppies are born with less hair, and they’re skinnier and smaller too.
Most mothers reject premature puppies, which means the dogs are often left to die, usually of hypothermia. You’d have to take over caring for the puppies since the mother will not.
So when is your dog ready to give birth?
If it’s been at least 63 days and your dog still hasn’t given birth, then it’s time to think about inducing labor at home, but maybe don’t do anything yet.
Induction of Labor in Dogs | Wag!
Producing a healthy litter of puppies is one of the greatest accomplishments for any dog breeder. A dogs gestation period is 63 days, and most females give birth within three or four days of their due date. However, labor can be a difficult process and can last for up to 12 hours. It can be necessary to progress a dogs labor if there are long gaps between puppies.
Set up the whelping box in a quiet room one week prior to the dogs delivery date. The dog will be restless and look for a place to nest before going into labor, and the whelping box gives her a place to rest up for the impending birth. Dogs can stop their labor for hours at a time if they are uncomfortable, so leave her alone when she is in the box.
Take the dogs temperature twice a day in the week before delivery. A dogs normal temperature is 100 degrees F and will drop by approximately two degrees within 24 hours of the start of labor.
Watch the dog closely for signs that she has gone into labor. Signs of labor include licking of the genitals, turning and pawing at her bedding and reluctance to eat. The first puppy will be born within an hour of the onset of labor, with each remaining puppy arriving in 15- to 30-minute increments.
Stimulate her nipples to begin milk production. Lactation causes the dogs body to release hormones that stimulate contractions. Wash and dry your hands, holding the nipple gently between your fingers and rubbing it back and forth until a drop or two of milk is expressed.
Massage her abdomen gently if she seems to be having trouble passing a puppy. Stand the dog up and place a hand on each side of her abdomen, rubbing your hands in circles from the ribs back toward the tail. Large puppies often get stuck in the birth canal and need to be readjusted before they come out. Use light pressure to prevent hurting the mother and any puppies still inside the uterus.
Walk the dog to progress her labor. Buckle the collar around her neck and clip the leash to the collar, encouraging her to follow you. Offer her a couple of her favorite treats to keep her going if she is reluctant to follow you. Walking stimulates the abdominal muscles and helps the puppies to settle lower in the birth canal, stimulating contractions.
Louise Lawson has been a published author and editor for more than 10 years. Lawson specializes in pet and food-related articles, utilizing her 15 years as a sous chef and as a dog breeder, handler and trainer to produce pieces for online and print publications.