- 25+ days – Ultrasound can be used to determine pregnancy
- 33-37 days – Increase feeding to double normal
- 45+ days – Radiographs can be taken for detailed pup information
- 58-68 days – Delivery can occur, average gestation is 63 days
Temperature – Average temperature is between 101 and 102, when temperature dips below 100, delivery can be expected within 24 hours. She will usually spike a fever 24-48 hour following delivery, but shouldn’t act sick.
Labor – When contractions begin, she may appear restless. May pace, dig, shiver, pant or even vomit. This is normal and not to be worried about. Make sure water is available at this time.
Hard Labor & Delivery – After 10 to 30 minutes of hard straining, puppies should be birthed. Placenta and Afterbirth will usually follow. Mother should clean membranes from pups within a few minutes, if she does not, remove the membrane for her and rub puppy with a dry towel. Tie the umbilical cords about an inch from the pup and cut with scissors on the far side of the knot. Expect one pup every 45-60 minutes, though the mother may take a break. No need to be concerned if puppies are born tail first.
Problems – Contact a veterinarian if the follow occurs:
- Black, Red, or Green vaginal discharge before the first puppy is born
- Hard straining for 1 hour with no puppy being born
- Longer than 2 hours between puppies
- More than 70 days of gestation
- No interest in, or aggression towards, puppies
- Decreased milk production, foul smelling vaginal discharge, loss of appetite, listlessness, lack of interest in puppies, stiffness of gait, muscle spasms, seizure.
- Puppies aren’t gaining weight or nursing properly
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