Canine Whelping: Common Issues and Post-Whelping Problems Explained

Canine whelping is a beautiful yet delicate process that requires careful attention. While most dogs deliver their puppies without major issues, complications can arise during and after whelping. Being aware of these challenges and knowing how to respond can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and safe experience for both mom and pups. Here are the seven most common problems during and post-whelping that every dog owner should know!

Major Complications of Canine Whelping

Understanding Dystocia

Dystocia is a condition characterised by complicated labour that can be due to multiple factors influencing the birthing process. Sometimes, visual signs of dog labour present an opportunity for the intervention that will make all the difference.

Causes of Dystocia

• Pelvic Conformation: Dogs with a tight pelvic ring may experience dystocia as a result of breed predisposition or fracture of the pelvis. This is typical for French Bulldogs and Boxers.
• Uterine Inertia: It is a condition where the uterus is incapable of contraction to impel the puppy down. Uterine inertia has been noted in the context of dystocia that is still at any one of the four stages. Its aetiology is exhaustion, particularly when labour appears to persist.
• Puppy Size: In instances where the puppy is abnormally large, it is impossible to pass through the birth canal. This is often seen in litters containing only one puppy or two puppies.
• Malpositioning: Puppies are usually born head-first or with the rear legs first. However, if they come sideways or bottom first, they get stuck.
• Developmental Issues: A puppy with oversized body parts as a result of developmental defects may cause an easy delivery.
• Stillborn Puppies: When there are signs of dead puppies in womb, this can interfere with contractions and even positioning, making delivery difficult.

Treatment for Dystocia

Your veterinarian will conduct a physical and vaginal examination to determine if the pups can deliver vaginally. X-ray studies may reveal how many, how large, and in what position the pups are:

Interventions

• Uterine contractors if inertia is diagnosed.
• Intravenous calcium or dextrose if the mother's blood calcium or glucose level is low following prolonged labor.
• A Cesarean section if a normal delivery is not possible or medical help fails.

Prevention Tips

Though some factors of dystocia can't be prevented, education and preparedness would ensure timely interventions that increase the chances of a successful whelping.

When to Call the Vet During Labor

It is hard enough to anticipate what will occur post whelping with your dog, but in any of the following situations, call your veterinarian immediately:

• Your dog has been pregnant for over 63 days
• Stage I labour has been in progress more than 24 hours without a puppy being delivered
• Continued, vigorous contractions lasting over 30 minutes and no puppy
• Resting period over four hours before more puppies
• Foetor or blood discharge following whelping
• The dam vomits profusely or is extremely lethargic.

Common Post Whelping Problems

Most post-whelping problems are normally seen in the first few hours following whelping. Sometimes conditions arise whereby the bitch cannot feed her pups, and therefore the latter will have to be hand reared and fed milk replacer.

1. Eclampsia or Milk Fever

This disease occurs with hypocalcemia – low levels of blood calcium. It happens when the calcium output for milk production in the dog's body is too high, and it cannot be met. The causes are generally rare, but small breed dogs can be infected even with small litters.

Symptoms of Eclampsia:

• Restlessness and nervousness
• Abnormal gait: stiff or wobbly
• Cannot move the legs or walks stiffly
• Fever above 40°C
• Tremors of the muscles and rapid breathing
• Seizure – if left untreated it would be fatal.

Immediate treatment

Take the puppies to a veterinarian at once and remove them from nursing for at least 24 hours. Bottle-feed them with a commercial milk replacer. Veterinary treatments may include intravenous calcium to stabilise the mother's condition.

Preventive measure

Proper diet with correct amounts of calcium and phosphorus. Do not over-supplement as that would depress the action of parathyroid hormone that is responsible for the regulation of calcium. feeding a pregnant mom good quality puppy food is relatively safe.

2. Retained Placenta or Puppy

Occasionally, fragments of the placenta or even the retained puppy after whelping itself remain in the uterus. This can cause severe complications.

Conditions:

• Vomiting is chronic
• Discharge may be green or foul- smelling
• Dehydration or apathy
• Lethargy or any signs of depression.

If you observe any of these symptoms, call your vet immediately to avoid life-threatening infections.

3. Metritis, or Uterine Infection

Some metritides occur several days after a difficult or prolonged labour. The condition is given prompt treatment in order to prevent life-threatening complications.

Signs:

• Blurred vision and weak milk letdown
• Discharge that has an offensive odour and signs of dehydration
• Listlessness and generalised debility
• Emergency veterinary treatment including antibiotics and supportive therapy.

4. Mastitis

It is defined as inflammation or infection of mammary glands that occur commonly within two weeks from whelping. Most causes are bacterial E. coli, Staphylococcus, or Streptococcus.

Signs of Mastitis:

• Swollen, hardened painful mammary glands
• Darkened patches or split open, pus-filled glands
• Overall signs of distress in the dam
• Early veterinary care is critical since mastitis untreated can kill the dam.

5. Maternal Casualty to the Puppies

The mother might accidentally harm her puppies in the process of caregiving. She may lick too enthusiastically in the umbilical area or eat the placenta, causing accidental injury. Stress and anxiety cause the mother to inflict injuries or even abandon her pups.

Things to Look Out for:

Keep a close eye on your dog in the first days after whelping. If some aggressive or odd behavior is observed, consult your veterinarian. Do not breed that dog again if such traits manifest themselves in further litters and consider spaying her whenever possible.

The whelping process can sometimes be quite thrilling and demanding, especially with the newness of seeing a puppy growing inside your canine companion. Being attentive to any possible complication in your dog's whelping and knowing when exactly to see a vet could be the difference between saving her life and that of her puppies or losing them all. Keep up with updates and schedule regular visits to see your veterinarian, or keep a close eye on your canine friend after whelping.