Canine Care During Pregnancy and Whelping
Canine Reproduction
Most breeds of dogs reach puberty at approximately 6 to 12 months of age and are capable of becoming pregnant at this first heat with usually a smaller litter size than subsequent pregnancies. It is recommended that the bitch not be bred on this first heat and allowed time to become fully mature. A brood bitch should start her reproductive life before 3 years of age since each non-productive estrous cycle will eventually increase the possibility of uterine degenerative changes with increasing age which results in uterine disease (cystic endometrial hyperplasia-endometritis-pyometra complex) and infertility. Long intervals between pregnancies are also not advisable.
Ovulation occurs spontaneously, usually 1 to 3 days after the first acceptance of the stud. With most ova being shed within a 12 to 72 hour period. The ova are immature in the bitch at ovulation which prolongs their fertile life to about 4 days. Since the estrus or acceptance of the male is long in the dog (average 9 days), more than one male can be responsible for parentage of a litter.
It takes usually 9 to 11 days for fertilized ova to reach the uterus after ovulation and implantation takes place from 18 to 20 days. The embryos space themselves evenly along both horns of the uterus. A "band" or zonary placentation is formed. The gestation period varies from 57 to 72 days with most bitches averaging 63-65 days.
Selection of bitches for breeding
Bitches and stud dogs for breeding should not be selected only by pedigree, conformation, work or show performance. Both sexes should also be selected from mothers and stud dogs that show characteristics of good heat and libido, normal litter size, whelp with ease and rear a healthy litter with minimal care. All these characteristics are genetically based and can be inherited. A complete physical exam of the reproductive tract, mammary glands and all other body systems for normalcy should be conducted before breeding. Records of all heats, breeding dates, whelpings, litter size and rearing information as well as findings of physical exams and total health and vaccination records should be strictly maintained and utilized when making decisions. Both sexes should be checked by blood test and be free of canine brucellosis before each breeding.
Pregnancy Diagnosis
Pregnancy should be determined as early as possible following mating. The following methods are available:
- abdominal palpation of the uterus and individual fetuses at 22-35 days
- x-ray of the abdomen at 43-45 days to term
- ultrasonic Doppler detection of fetal heart beats and placental circulation at 25-30 days to term
- movement of fetuses detected per abdomen at 55-63 days of pregnancy
Early knowledge of pregnancy and possible number of fetuses are important for prenatal care and possible precautions at whelping and can also differentiate a pus filled uterus (pyometra) or pseudopregnant state which will cause behavioral problems in some bitches. For companion and working dogs a pregnancy diagnosis at 30 days of gestation should affect the planning of nutrition, activities, and travel of that bitch for 3 months.
Care During Pregnancy
The pregnant bitch needs a well balanced diet, with food provided on a weight basis, so as fetal growth causes increase weight, food intake increases automatically. Overfeeding and excessive weight gain should be avoided. Feeding recommendations of commercial dog food suppliers for pregnancy and nursing bitches should be followed. Discretion and advice should be sought before supplementation of vitamins, minerals, high proteins or fats are used.
Abundant, non-strenuous exercise to keep good muscle tone is necessary for easy whelping. Obesity and poor muscle tone frequently results in low conception rates and difficult whelping. Medication, vaccination and worming should be avoided during pregnancy with treatment being planned and performed prior to breeding if possible. Two weeks prior to parturition, the bitch should be separated from other dogs and placed in the area where she will whelp. A warm, dry, secluded comfortable area with materials for nesting should be provided. Near term the enlarged abdomen may cause restricted physical activity. A few days prior to whelping, the mammary glands enlarge and milk is present. Excessive hair around the nipples and around the vulva should be removed. The vulvar area if soiled should be cleansed just prior to whelping.
Pregnant bitches that show evidence of abnormal vulvar discharges, or show evidence of fetal resorbtion, abortion, premature birth, high incidence of stillbirths and/or weak puppies with neonatal death should be carefully examined by a veterinarian and treated. Specimens of discharge, blood and any dead puppies and their placentas should be submitted to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory for examination and hopefully a definitive diagnosis so that meaningful treatment, control and/or preventive measures can be instituted. This bitch and any remaining puppies should be strictly isolated from other dogs, especially pregnant bitches, since a contagious agent may be involved. Canine brucellosis must always be suspected and tested for.
Whelping
Bitches near parturition often can inhibit labor until favorable environmental conditions are present, or she may seek her own seclusion if possible. If a satisfactory environment is not present, delivery may be prolonged and difficult. The bitch may refuse to eat and tears up bedding, "nesting", 24 hours before delivery. Her body temperature will usually drop (1.5o F, 0.60o C) at this time and she is in the first stage of labor. Pups should be delivered within 12-24 hours of the temperature drop or within 4 to 5 hours of purposeful straining, the second stage of labor, or professional assistance should be summoned. Usually the maximum time spent in the second stage of labor is 12 hours. Gestation periods longer than 71 to 72 days should be checked and professional advice should be sought since prolonged gestation with fetal and maternal death can take place after 72 days. Abnormal vulvar discharges such as blood, green fluid, malodorous fluids, or placenta before pups, abnormal behavior, open mouth breathing, undue excitement, weakness, cessation of labor without pups should all be cause for alarm and professional assistance with proper diagnosis and treatment should be sought.
The third stage of labor follows immediately after delivery of the first pups and is characterized by uterine rest. Pups are either presented anterior or posterior, usually in pairs, with intervals of 10 to 15 minutes to 30 to 90 minutes of rest. It is normal for the bitch to bite through the umbilical cord and ingest the placenta as she licks her pups. If the cord is not immediately broken by the bitch, leave it attached for up to 5 minutes so that the pup can receive additional blood still in the placenta. Frequently the bitch will eat the placentas, which may cause vomiting if several are ingested. Pups are left with the bitch, usually in an artificially heated area as long as they are not interfering with further delivery. The pups are allowed to nurse as soon as possible following the completion of whelping since antibody protection is present in the ingested colostrum. This supplements in utero transfer of antibody which takes place prior to birth.
Ignored pups must be cared for immediately if they are to be saved. The sac (amnion) should first be removed from the puppy's face and the nose and mouth wiped with a clean soft cloth to stimulate natural breathing. Leave fetal membranes and cord attached for 5 minutes. The puppy's body at this time can be rubbed to stimulate breathing. After 5 to 10 minutes the cord should be disinfected and severed by placing 2 ligatures of thread and severing between them leaving a 1 to 2 inch stalk attached to the puppy. Immersing the body in warm water with only the head exposed for breathing can warm cold weak puppies. This is the quickest way to increase the body temperature. A clean, dry and draft free environment with a temperature of approximately 85'F is ideal for the pups. Puppies cannot regulate their body temperature until 12-14 days of age. A cooler area for the bitch to rest in when not caring for the pups is ideal. A soft floor of clean rags lying flat is ideal. Pups should be examined for deformities at this time and over-sized litters should be depopulated so that the bitch can adequately raise the litter. Frequently, runts, weak and deformed pups will be ignored by the bitch. Runts or unwanted pups must be hand raised on commercial milk replacers or placed on a nurse bitch if possible or destroyed. Deformed pups should be euthanized.
Following whelping, the bitch's abdomen should be palpated and/or radiographed (especially large breeds) to be certain that all pups and placentas have been delivered. Oxytocin or other drugs which cause uterine contraction may be used in large breeds to complete removal of pups or placentas and help promote involution of the uterus, possibly prevent subinvolution of placental sites and initiate milk let-down.
Highly nervous bitches may need tranquilization, calcium therapy for eclampsia and/or oxytocin administered to encourage complete delivery of the pups and normal maternal response. If possible, these bitches should not be selected for future breeders.
Following whelping, the bitch spends considerable time licking and cleaning her puppies which stimulates circulation, respiration, reflex urination and defecation. The first week, the bitch stays constantly with their young, except to eat or eliminate waste. By the 3rd week, the bitch spends increasing time away from her pups. And by the 4th and 7th week she may punish them as they attempt to nurse which initiates weaning. Pups can see and hear by 2 to 3 weeks of age and begin to socialize by 3 to 7 weeks of age.
It is desirable to keep the perineal region washed clean following whelping and to check for evidence of malodorous discharges. A blood discharge usually is present for 6 to 10 days post whelping and may be present sporadically throughout nursing and even following weaning. Persistent discharges, especially if fetid or blood, indicate uterine infection and/or subinvolution of placenta sites. Both warrant diagnosis. Acute metritis and/or mastitis usually result in listlessness, increased body temperature, loss of appetite and lack of interest in the puppies. Immediate diagnosis, treatment and supplemental care for the puppies are required or loss of both the bitch and puppies may occur. Both the bitch and frequently the puppies need antibiotics and supportive therapy. Antibiotic sensitivity test for organism cultured from vaginal discharges or mastitic milk are important Separation of the bitch and puppies will depend on the severity of the condition and her ability to care for the puppies and the contagiousness of her infection.
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