At 60-63 days after conception, a female dog or cat is ready to birth their young. A pregnant female will begin labor by finding a comfortable place to have her pups. She may not eat for up to 24 hours before labor. She may start to lick her vulva and have abdominal contractions, some are quiet and some may yelp or whine. Some dogs may have their complete litter in a matter of hours and some take up to 24 hours. If the mother decides to take a break, that is normal. However, if she is having strong contractions and actively pushing for more than an hour, calling your veterinarian is recommended. Also, if it is at 65 days, consult your vet.
Some important things to know while assisting your pet:
- If the mother does not lick or chew the clear membrane from around the pup AFTER she has completely birthed it, do it for her.
- If she ignores the pup, take a warm, dry towel and gently rub the pup. This will stimulate him/her to breathe.
- The mother does not have to eat the placenta or afterbirth, so if you wish to discard it you may. If you separate the placenta from the pup, make sure there is about an inch of cord left on the pup.
- There should be one afterbirth or placenta for each pup born. Retained placentas can cause infection.
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