A dog pregnancy is one of the most amazing, yet vulnerable times for a female dog as well as her unborn puppies. Therefore, it is essential to provide proper care during the prenatal period. First and foremost before allowing a dog pregnancy, make sure you have properly protected your female dog and her potential litter by following these steps:
If you think your dog may be pregnant, then its time to make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian can help you verify the pregnancy, determine the due date, discuss any medication changes, and even estimate the number of expected puppies. Your veterinarian can also help you determine if your dog is having a false pregnancy, a condition in which she looks and acts pregnant when shes not.
Your dog deserves every chance to be healthy, happy litter of puppies. At 4 Paws Veterinary Care we specialize in facilitating healthy dog pregnancies for mother and puppies alike. We feel like pets are truly part of the family and would be honored to guide your family through this exciting time.
What are the stages of dog labour?
There are three stages of labour in dogs:
How to tell if a puppy is in the breech position?
Puppies are usually born head first with the forelegs extended. They can also be born with the tail and hind legs coming first. An abnormal or breech presentation is one in which the hind legs are forward and the tail and bottom are presented. In these cases, the puppy will most likely have entered the birth canal tail first. You can usually tell if your dog’s puppy is in breech if their tail is seen hanging from the vulva, or there is a lump just behind the vulval lips and your dog is straining. Some breech presentations can be delivered without assistance, but often complications occur which require veterinary assistance.
What are the first signs of a dog going into labor?
Is your dog pregnant? If so, it’s very important for you to be able to recognize the signs of a dog in labor. When your dog goes into labor, you need to be prepared if something unexpected happens or if you have questions for your vet in Highland, Westville, or Mishawaka, IN.