South African Veterinary Foundation Suid-Afrikaanse Veterinêre Stigting presents Is your bitch whelping normally, and how may your veterinarian assist?

Mandate of the SA Veterinary Foundation Promoting an informed public To promote and advance veterinary and related biological sciences in all their aspects. This includes supporting veterinary research at all levels, to fund bursaries and loans for veterinary studies and to invest and administer various financial portfolios in order to promote the knowledge, image and status of the Veterinary and Paraveterinary Profession and practice within Southern Africa resulting in improved quality of life for animals and humans.

Normal birth in the bitch Promoting an informed public Bitches usually whelp about 63 to 65 days after mating, but it may be as few as 57 days or as many as 68 days.

Normal birth in the bitch Promoting an informed public Ask your veterinarian to examine your bitch while she is still on heat, so that he may more accurately predict when whelping is due and advise you on how to observe the whelping process.

Normal birth in the bitch Promoting an informed public Provide the bitch with a whelping box with absorbent bedding about one week prior to whelping. Place the box in a warm dry place.

Normal birth in the bitch Promoting an informed public The bitch’s own blanket or pillow will help her to initially become familiar with the box and accept it as her domain.

Normal birth in the bitch Promoting an informed public The bitch normally starts becoming restless, scratching her bedding and panting before she starts straining to deliver the first pup. If the signs persist for more than a few hours without straining, consult your veterinarian.

Normal birth in the bitch Promoting an informed public If the bitch strains for more than 30 minutes, a pup may be stuck and you should immediately consult your veterinarian.

Normal birth in the bitch Promoting an informed public If the bitch does not tear the bag around the pup, a person should do so and rub the pup dry with a cloth in order to stimulate breathing.

Normal birth in the bitch Promoting an informed public It is normal for the bitch to eat the placenta: there is no need to prevent her from doing so.

Normal birth in the bitch Promoting an informed public It is normal for the bitch to be as rough with the pup as seen here.

Normal birth in the bitch Promoting an informed public If the bitch does not put the pup to the teat you should do so, as it is essential for each puppy to start ingesting colostrum as early as possible.

Normal birth in the bitch Promoting an informed public The bitch should start straining again within four hours after the birth of the previous pup, in order to deliver the next pup.

Normal birth in the bitch Promoting an informed public If the bitch has not started straining by four hours after the birth of the previous pup, consult your veterinarian immediately.

Normal birth in the bitch Promoting an informed public Once the last pup has been born, dried and helped to the teat, the bitch will be placid and peaceful, caring for her pups.

Normal birth in the bitch Promoting an informed public The bitch should start eating and drinking during the same day that the pups are born. If not, consult your veterinarian.

Normal birth in the bitch Promoting an informed public Most importantly, if you are unsure about anything regarding your whelping bitch, that is sufficient reason to consult your veterinarian.

Acknowledgements Promoting an informed public Video material: Val de Grace Animal Hospital & Mr V Jacobs Text: Prof J Nöthling Faculty of Veterinary Science University of Pretoria

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