Giving Birth Signs A Dog Is Going Into Labor Soon

The vulva may become swollen and a clear to slightly cloudy discharge may occur.

Giving birth signs a dog is going into labor soon. As the puppy is born the placental sac should break leaving a yellowish fluid. Your dog may retreat to a quiet lonely spot in the house. The early signs if your dog stops eating that s a sign the puppies are on their way. Depending on the breed pregnancy can range from 56 to 69 days with smaller dogs generally giving birth slightly earlier.

Most dogs show behavior changes and their energy levels drop as their abdomens grow. Second stage of dog labor. Your dog s body temperature will be about 100 f 38 c in the days leading up to birth but when she s about to go into labor her temperature will go down a few degrees. She may not eat for a couple of days before going into labor and she may also vomit.

A very obvious sign that your dog is going into labor is that she lays down in the prepared bed but appears to be uncomfortable. Puppies should arrive in roughly half hour intervals although your dog may take a break of up to four hours during the birthing process. Dogs exhibit symptoms similar to those of humans when they are ready to go into labor. You should not worry if she appears irritated as this is a normal symptom in a dog that is about to give birth.

The beginning of labor is usually marked by a drop in body temperature and sometimes lack of appetite in the pregnant dog or dam. Your dog should start actively straining to give birth. Step 4 look for a green vaginal discharge called lochia. A dog getting ready to give birth may pace shiver whine and pant.

Stronger contractions and birth the second stage of labor begins with stronger more frequent uterine contractions that eventually lead to the birth of a puppy. Watch your dog carefully in the days and weeks before she is due to give birth. Labor is easier on an empty stomach so your dog may vomit up her last meal or refuse to eat as her labor begins and her contractions start. She may also become irritable or start nesting.

Expect some puppies to be born tail first as this is not abnormal for dogs. What to do when birth begins. Puppies are usually born every 45 60 minutes with 10 30 minutes of hard straining. Milk may be present two to nine days before she gives birth.

This is followed by stage 1 when the dam starts experiencing uterine contractions. The second stage of labor is when the puppies begin arriving. As labor time approaches your dog s mammary glands will begin to enlarge. About 12 hours to 24 hours before productive labor begins the dog s temperature will drop from 101 5 f which is normal to between 98 f and 100 f.

If your dog doesn t go into labor within 24 hours after the temperature drop call your veterinarian.