Whelping - a normal delivery
If everything goes well, the bitch is in familiar surroundings and is handled by people she loves and respects, the normal whelping of a bitch can be a wonderful experience for all concerned. This explains a 'normal delivery'.
1. The bitch begins to strain. The bitch may have been 'nestling' by tearing up newspaper or simply making a nest in her bed. With some bitches this continues for up to 2 days. With others they simply begin to strain with very few other signs. Some also pant. But usually the first signs of the eminent birth of the first pup begins like this.
2. Sometimes it seems like finally - the first pup begins to appear. When the bitch is straining, her tail is in this typical position. Some bitches seem to just pop the first pup out, but with others it may take several strong pushes or strains. However, this straining should be allowed to continue for more than half an hour before the first pup is produced without seeking human intervention by an experienced breeder or veterinarian.
3. Usually, but not always the head appears first. However, if the back end, the back feet or some different presentations should occur, as long as the bitch is not distressed or the pup does not appear to be stuck, there is no need to intervene. Sometimes if you can grasp the pup gently but firmly with a rough towel as demonstrated on our DVD HOW TO RAISE A LITTER OF PUPPIES' that is all the assistance required. If assistance is necessary, it is important that you guide the pup down between the bitch's back legs, rather than straight away from her body.
4. If the bitch does not clean up the pup, then you must also do that. With a rough towel, wipe the pup's face dry and if it does not begin to breathe, dry the pup completely and present the bitch with the clean pup. It is important to assist and not make the bitch feel you are taking charge of her litter. Pups can take up to ten minutes to breathe properly, so there is no need to 'panic'. The bitch's stimulation of the pup by licking it is far better than you can do with a towel. However, as the body temperature of a newborn pup drops rapidly, it is also important the pup is quickly cleaned and dried.
5. This excellent mother has the instinct to clean up the pup herself, beginning at the face. If this is the case, best leave her alone. She is doing a great job!
6. This same bitch cleaning up the body. Note the afterbirth is still attached. However, she should not mind its removal.
The above two pictures 6 and 7 show how the thickness of the afterbirths around different puppies can vary. These are both quite normal. Regardless of the thickness of the sac itself, the remainder of it and the afterbirth should immediately be removed from around the pup either by yourself or by the bitch.
Additional Puppies
Most bitches will produce additional pups without disturbing the ones already born. If there is a large litter, it may be necessary to place some of the first born pups separately in a warm basket with a hot water bottle or heating pad beneath them for the short period when the bitch is restless because another pup is coming. However, with a small litter like this one, this is not necessary as you can see the bitch and her last born pup are quite comfortable and happy.
Whether you remove some of the pups at any time during the whelping or not, it is most important that the pups are kept warm as their body temperature drops dramatically during the first few minutes after birth.
Different Presentations
Sometimes pups are not presented head first. Here are two common examples:
When to call the Veterinarian
A veterinarian must be consulted immediately if the bitch
1. Strains periodically for more than two hours before a pup is produced
2. Strains continuously for more than 5 minutes at any time between pups, without producing another pup.
Whether a veterinarian is required during the actual births or not, it is important that the bitch and her pups are presented to a veterinarian as soon as you believe the whelping is concluded. This is to make certain there are no retained pups or afterbirths.
The raising of a litter of puppies from 3 days before the bitch is due to whelp up until the point of sale is clearly explained in our DVD 'HOW TO RAISE A LITTER OF PUPPIES'.