Secondary uterine inertia occurs when the mother dog has strong contractions that decrease in strength or disappear
. Both types are a form of dystocia, or difficult birth. Several factors can cause stalled labor and delivery problems, including your dog’s genetics and environment.
How common is a whelping pause?
I see hundreds of dog breeders a year and here is what I have found:
60-75% of all dog breeders have experienced the whelping pause
.
How long can a whelping pause be?
A whelping pause happens when the pups from the first uterine horn have been born, and the pups from the second horn begin working their way into the world. A pause can last
5 minutes or as long as 48 hours
.
How do I know if my dog has stopped giving birth?
See if contractions have stopped
.
If you are expecting more puppies, your dog will continue giving birth when it has rested. If you are not, your dog has finished giving birth! There may be a few contractions after the last puppy so that the dog can push out the last placenta.
Why is my dog not pushing her puppies out?
If your mother dog goes through stage one of labor and has not begun pushing after 24 hours, she may be experiencing
uterine inertia
. This is more common in some breeds, when the litter is very small or very large, or there is a calcium deficiency. Overweight mother dogs can be prone to uterine inertia.
How do I restart my dogs labor?
The first pup should be born within an hour of her initial signs of labor. If she seems restless and uncomfortable but not having strong enough contractions to push out a puppy,
give her a dose of oxytocin
. The oxytocin will stimulate her uterus, making contractions more forceful and helping her to expel the puppies.
How long can a dog go between delivering puppies?
Sometimes the mother might need help to open the membranes so that the puppy can breathe. The next puppies are usually delivered every 30 to 60 minutes, although
up to 3 hours
between puppies can be normal.
How long is too long for a dog to be in labor?
You should contact your vet or, out of hours, your nearest Vets Now, if your dog’s labour lasts more than
24 hours
, or if more than two hours pass in between puppies. This could be a sign of a serious difficulty, and both your dog and her unborn puppies could be at risk.
Can a dog fall asleep during labor?
First Stage of Labor
Your dog may suffer from loss of appetite on whelping day. Some dams will regurgitate their earlier meal and act lethargic,
often sleeping deeply more than usual
.
What are the first signs of a dog going into labor?
- Sudden Drop in Body Temperature.
- Loss of Appetite or Vomiting.
- Excessive Panting.
- Restlessness and Anxiety.
- Milk Production.
- Nesting Behavior.
- Shivering.
- Contractions.
How can I help my dog push her puppies out?
Step 1:
Grasp the puppy with a clean towel. Step 2: Applying steady traction, gently pull the puppy at a slight downward angle. Continue pulling gently and steadily until the pup is delivered
. Step 3: If you are unable to remove the puppy, contact the veterinarian immediately.
How can I stimulate my dogs contractions?
Stimulate her nipples to begin milk production
. Lactation causes the dog’s body to release hormones that stimulate contractions. Wash and dry your hands, holding the nipple gently between your fingers and rubbing it back and forth until a drop or two of milk is expressed.
Why did my dog only have one puppy?
Causes of single puppy litter
Single puppy pregnancy tends to occur more in small or miniature breeds
. It is particularly common in Scottish Terriers. Dogs have a peak litter size between the age of 3 and 7 years, after which the number of puppies in a litter decreases.
Can placenta come out before puppy?
If a placenta — or dense, dark green discharge — came out before the first puppy, however, it could be a sign of a complication like premature placental separation
. Contact the veterinarian without delay if you think this might have occurred.
Can a dog be pregnant for more than 63 days?
Signs your dog is overdue
The gestation period for dogs is generally anywhere from 57- to 65-days long from start to finish, with
the average canine pregnancy lasting 63 days
, explains VCA Hospitals.
