How to midwife your dog during labor: Professional guidelines and considerations
Recently, pet care topics have become increasingly popular on social media, especially content about dog pregnancy care and midwifery, which have received widespread attention. The following is a guide to midwifery for dogs compiled based on popular discussions on the Internet in the past 10 days to help pet owners scientifically cope with this special period.
1. Signs before a dog is about to give birth
| sign | Appearance time | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| body temperature drops | 24-48 hours before delivery | Normal body temperature is 38-39°C, and drops to around 37°C before delivery |
| Frequent digging | 6-12 hours before delivery | Provide a quiet and warm delivery room |
| Loss of appetite | 24 hours before delivery | Prepare easy-to-digest liquid foods |
2. List of essential items for midwifery
| Items | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Sterilized scissors | 1 handful | Cut the umbilical cord |
| Sterile cotton thread | 1 volume | Lig the umbilical cord |
| absorbent towel | 3-5 items | cleaning puppies |
| medical alcohol | 100ml | Disinfection tools |
3. Specific steps of midwifery
1.Stage 1: Contractions begin
Keep the environment quiet and allow the female dog to freely choose a comfortable position. At this time, contractions are about 15-30 minutes apart and last 12-24 hours.
2.Stage 2: Delivery of the fetus
When the amniotic blister is seen exposed, normal delivery should be completed within 30 minutes. If there is no progress within 2 hours, contact your veterinarian.
3.Stage Three: Placenta Processing
Each puppy corresponds to one placenta, and the number of discharges needs to be recorded. Unexpressed placenta can lead to infection.
4. Emergency handling
| question | Treatment method | red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Dystocia | Send to hospital immediately | Strong uterine contractions for more than 2 hours without labor |
| Puppy choking | Clear mucus from nose and mouth | No breathing or weak crying |
| Heavy bleeding | Apply pressure to stop bleeding and seek medical attention | Bleeding volume exceeds 50ml |
5. Key points of postpartum care
1. Keep the temperature of the delivery room at 28-30℃ and the humidity at 50%-60%
2. Supplement glucose water within 6 hours after delivery
3. Check the female dog’s udder condition every day to prevent mastitis
4. Start feeding small amounts and frequent meals 24 hours after delivery
6. Recent popular questions and answers
| question | Professional answer |
|---|---|
| Can I feed my dog during labor? | Nutritional cream can be fed between uterine contractions to avoid eating in large quantities |
| Do you need artificial help to help your puppy breathe? | Only when the puppy is not breathing on his own, gently wipe the irritation with a towel |
| What should I do if my female dog won’t eat the placenta? | No need to force, just clean it up in time |
According to the latest pet medical data, about 85% of dogs can give birth successfully naturally, but preparation in advance can significantly reduce the risk. It is recommended that all owners establish contact with their veterinarian before the due date and keep a 24-hour emergency telephone number.
Note: The data in this article are based on authoritative content released by pet health forums and veterinary institutions in the past 10 days. Please consult a professional pet doctor for specific cases.
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