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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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It is normal for the bitch to be as rough with the pup as
seen here.
Normal birth in the bitch
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Most importantly, if you are unsure about anything
regarding your whelping bitch, that is sufficient reason to consult your veterinarian.
Acknowledgements
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Video material: Val de Grace Animal Hospital & Mr V Jacobs
Text: Prof J Nöthling Faculty of Veterinary Science University of Pretoria
South African Veterinary Foundation
Suid-Afrikaanse Veterinêre Stigting
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