VMD 513: Pet animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

CARE DURING WHELPING

    

  

  

• Temperamental changes will be obvious in the females just before whelping.
• The vulva swells up. The mammary glands become turgid and milk will exude on squeezing the teats.
• The bitch will seek a safe and calm place for whelping.
• When the uterine contractions start (first stage) the female dog behaves abnormally due to pain, will be restless, growing and refusing, to eat or drink.
• It will lie flat on one side and will strain heavily.
• The discharge is greenish in colour and is thin.
• When the stage of labor begins leave it to herself. The pup maybe presented either alone or with the placenta attached to the umbilicus.
• The bitch will bit it off and may eat it. At times the whole bag is presented and the bitch may not care to open it.
• In such instances open up the foetal bag and save the pup by clearing its nostrils and swinging it to and fro by holding its hind­‑limbs.
• After the littering of one or two pups the bitch may be quiescent for some time, will start straining and litter one or two more pups and there may be a pause again.
• In bitches littering may be completed within 18 hours and at times prolonged still further.
• The cord may be painted with an antiseptic, ligated and cut if it is very long.
• Passing of the after birth (placenta), one for each pup occurs immediately after whelping.
• Keep all the pups warm.
•  Many bitches will not feed or drink till the littering is complete.
• After littering the bitch may be drinking only milk, and may refuse solid food for a day or two.
• Avoid strangers going near the bitch and her pups. Never permit any stranger to touch the pups.