Is your dog about to give birth?
The phone call announced the long awaited good news about the birth. Labour had lasted only four hours, and had been straightforward, with no complications. The mother and the new-born were healthy. She had given birth to eleven perfect puppies.
Animal reproduction has many similarities to the human situation - the basic processes are the same. A veterinary surgeon often has to play the roles of gynaecologist, obstetrician and paediatrician, and it can be one of the most rewarding aspects of working with animals.
The normal pregnancy of a dog lasts 64 days. Owners usually want to know as soon as possible if puppies are on the way, so that they can prepare for them in advance. The most simple form of pregnancy diagnosis is by direct physical manual probing of the abdomen, known as ‘palpation of the abdomen’ by a vet. Diagnosis can also be made from a blood sample, but the DIY test kits using urine samples are not available for animals. It is possible to investigate the pregnancy further by carrying out an ultrasound examination, in the same way as pregnant women are ’scanned’. The ultrasound machine ‘looks inside’ the abdomen, and shows not only the enlarged uterus, but also the contents of the uterus. Tiny beating hearts can usually be seen, as well as moving heads, bodies and limbs.
When a pregnancy is confirmed, preparations for the birth begin. The mother’s feeding is increased gradually, feeding up to three or four times a day as the delivery (’whelping’) approaches. A delivery box should be set up in a quiet, warm room, and the mother should be encouraged to sleep there routinely. It is best to calculate exactly when the pups are due to arrive, so that around the clock observation can start when needed.
The delivery is a very natural process, which only rarely requires human help. It is worthwhile discussing the process with your vet beforehand, so that you know what to expect. Even if all goes well, it is useful to ask the vet to carry out a house call soon after delivery is complete. Apart from ensuring that mother and puppies are in good health, this visit will give you a chance to discuss any queries you may have about rearing the new puppies. Those tiny and lovable bundles are going to become an important part of your life over the next six weeks at least.
