Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 894,225 times. You should also clean the whelping box 2-3 times a day to keep it sanitary for her puppies. Thankfully, this condition is reversible. Check to sure the birthing area is warm and the puppy is staying close to mom and the other puppies. Your dog will undergo plenty of changes during pregnancy, including her nutritional requirements. A pregnant dogs instincts will help her respond and get through birthing puppies. Seek your veterinarians help immediately if you suspect eclampsia. If she has long fur, trim it around her tail, hind legs, and mammary glands to keep the areas clean and reduce the risk of her puppies getting sick. You want to be able to monitor your dog while she is in labor, so make it a habit to check on her every morning, especially as her due date approaches. As her owner, it is your responsibility to take good care of your dog while she carries her litter. Then, keep these areas clean. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Make it a habit to check on your dog as soon as you wake up as she approaches her due date. To help your dog after she gives birth, feed her puppy food thats high in protein and calcium until the puppies are weaned so she can produce plenty of milk. It is a natural, holistic option designed to speed pain relief and recovery efforts and can take two to three weeks off the post-whelping recovery time. Cut the long hair around her tail and hind legs and her mammary glands. This can lead to seizures because the calcium levels in the blood are too low. Starting a deworming and vaccination program is often recommended before the pup leaves. Try weighing the puppies on a digital scale to make sure that they are gaining weight every day. Approved. Need more info -, Caring for your dog after she gives birth. My dog is still a puppy herself, so I'm, "This is my family's first time going through dog labor. When can you start socializing with the puppies? He may require supplemental feeding or other help. This is extremely important for her health and well-being. Colostrum must be taken in during the first 12 to 16 hours, so encourage the newborns to suckle right away. In the days and weeks following the arrival of her litter, watch for the following signs and do these things for your momma dog: You want yourdog after she gives birth to be comfortable and back to normal as soon as possible. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Take your dog's temperature daily for a few weeks. This condition can occur within the first 4 weeks after the puppies are born. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. % of people told us that this article helped them. Choose an area that is secluded, such as in a separate room, so that she can have privacy and quiet. If a C-section was necessary, your momma dog will leak more post-whelping discharge than she would have as a natural-whelper. Wait a few weeks to give her a full-blown bath. If you see yellow, green or gray material, or notice a foul odor, take your dog to your veterinarian. While you may need to step in on occasion to help out, she is generally able to care for her puppies on her own. If your dog has long fur, give her a sanitary cut. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. I hope all things go well for her. Remember that every puppy will have its own placenta. Its up to you to make sure that she and her puppies are healthy and that the puppies will arrive safely. This discharge is called lochia and ranges in color, from greenish-black to brownish to brick red. Required fields are marked *. To make sure your dog feels happy and relaxed when she gives birth, you should introduce her to the birthing area and box one to two weeks before the expected delivery date. You want to make sure your dog is healing properly and that her puppies are growing. Take good care in your own personal hygiene before going into the area, and before you introduce your dog to the birthing area, wash or brush her to get rid of as many parasites or bacteria as possible. She should eat puppy food until her puppies are weaned. Schedule an appointment with the vet for a checkup. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Do not disregard a puppy looking skinnier or less active than the other puppies. In some cases, eating the placentas may cause vomiting later. If it gets thick, grey or pale in color and starts to smell, she needs to be seen by your veterinarian right away. Most pads and wraps are sewn and assembled in Port Huron, Michigan. If the puppy absolutely will not nurse, or your dog wont let the puppy nurse, there may be something wrong with the puppy, like a cleft palate. Puppies should double their weight in the first week. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Your role is to prepare your home carefully, and give the puppies the care they need in those crucial first few days. And the amount of food and water she consumes should be significantly larger than before she gave birth, up to four times her intake before she became pregnant. Keep other dogs and people away from her and her puppies. Precise nutrition for dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds. unlocking this expert answer. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to assist your mother dog during birth, read on! If your dog is pregnant, you may decide to have a home birth rather than taking her to the vet. We offer a 100% - 30 Day Money Back Guarantee, How can we be so confident? first litter we lost 2. Take him to your veterinarian right away. Can the male dog care for the newborn puppies after their mother dies? Do You See Something in Your Dog that is Cause for Concern? The size of her litter will determine the amount of food and water she will need. How to Help Your Dog Heal After ACL Surgery, How to Care for Your Dogs Organs in Their Golden Years, Rehabilitation on the Go! This puppy food should be high in protein and calcium. Mastitis is a bacterial infection of the mammary glands that develops quickly and can become serious just as fast, even to the point of death. Use bowls of water or a humidifier to keep the space at 65-70% humidity, and a radiation or infrared lamp to heat the space. It's important this area is set up correctly to make sure the mother is stress-free and comfortable, and the puppies have the best possible start. Can You Get Excited About Your Dogs Digestion? And doesnt your heart just melt for those helpless, little balls of fur? The second litter were all healthy. Welcome To the Spectra Therapy - Holistic Pet Healing Group. After this, temperatures may be gradually decreased to approximately 80 F at seven to ten days, and again to 72 F by the end of the fourth weekof the puppies' lives. Here are some things to bear in mind. Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm CST. She should resume eating and drinking soon after she wakes up from her rest post-whelping. Crucial factors for your dog'shome birth: heat, humidity, and air. The manufacturing facility for the lasers is located in Michigan and has over 30 years of experience in diverse electronic technologies, medical equipment, and laser products. 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