Dog labor signs: When to watch and best whelping box bedding?

Question

Iam afraid my dog give birth will iam sleeping what are the signs of labor before it happens and what is the expected day that i should start watching her more? And what is the best bedding to use in the whelphing box? Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 3 months old | 59 lbs

Laura Johnson VMD · Accepted Answer

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You can start tracking her temperature rectally with a digital thermometer. Take it once a day at the same time. They usually with go in to stage 1 labor after the temperature drops below 99. You should start watching her more closely around day 58. Newspaper is the best bedding for whelping boxes. She will be fine and it's impossible to control everything. I've attached a hand out on stages of labor and when to be concerned. I hope this helps and I wish you and Soska the best! Whelping and When to be Concerned Stages of Labor: -Stage 1 tends to start 10-24 hours after temperature drop (usually below 99 F). -Stage 1: nesting. Can persist for 3-24 hours before abdominal contractions begin -Stage 2: Visible abdominal contractions. FIRST PUPPY SHOULD ARRIVE WITH IN 1-2 HOURS. -Stage 3: passage of placenta. Usually occurs within 15 mins of passing puppy. If it does not happen, don’t worry. When to worry/Call: -Strong contractions > 45-60 mins without birth of a puppy -Weak and infrequent contractions >4-6 hours without birth of puppy ->4-5 hours between puppies (after birth of first puppy without birth of the next puppy). On average a puppy is born every 45-60 mins. HOWEVER, the mother can often rest for several hours between puppies. This rest period is NOT associated with contractions and usually doesn’t exceed 4-6 hours. -If one puppy is born and she is having VISIBLE contractions for >2 hours without 2nd puppy. Recommend calling around 1 hour mark to talk to someone. -Failure to enter active labor (contractions) 24-36 hours after rectal temp falls below 99 F -Mother is in obvious pain: biting at vulva, crying) -No puppy within 2 hours of seeing green vaginal discharge -No puppy within 1 hour of seeing clear fluid from vulva (rupture of allantochorion) -No puppy within 1 hour of seeing a clear/water filled balloon at vulvar lips (puppy is in birth canal)

Dog labor signs: When to watch and best whelping box bedding?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?

Is my female rat pregnant? What are the visual signs of rat pregnancy?

I think my pet is pregnant. How can a vet confirm it for sure?

My mouse has a growing lump. What can I do if I can't afford a vet?

My sick small pet is breathing mouth open. Did I drown her feeding?

Dog licking paws, fur loss, and jaw wound: Could it be allergies?

Share