It can be amazing when your dog gives birth, but what if she struggles to get the puppies out and needs medical intervention? In this post, our Deer Park vets will teach you everything you need about c-sections for dogs, what you should look out for, and how to prepare.
What Natural Labor Looks Like & When To Seek Emergency Help
So it's been about 64 days since your dog got pregnant and now it's time for her to give birth. There are a few things you need to look out for as indications that your dog is in labor.
When it comes time for your dog to give birth, you may notice that she is far more restless than normal and she may start to nest or paw at her bed.
She will have limited to no appetite starting about 24 hours before going into active labor. Your dog may start to get sick and vomit and she will have mucus discharge. Your dog may start licking her vulva. All of these things are normal for natural labor and are not signs you need to be concerned about.
Signs of Complications
Most times your dog can give birth at home with little to no help from you, but sometimes, complications arise and your will need to bring your dog to the vets.
There are signs to look out for when your dog is in labor, to determine if she needs extra help from you and the vet.
The first thing you should be aware of is if she has been pushing for extended periods. Pushing can take time, but it should not take your dog more than 45-60 minutes to push out each puppy. Additionally, contractions should not last more than 45 minutes before the first puppy.
If your dog is showing signs of extreme fatigue or pain, vomiting, and excess bloody discharge, then it may be time to seek medical attention because the puppy could be stuck in the birthing canal blocking all other puppies from coming out as well.
The amount of time between each puppy will vary but it can last as long as 4 hours. If you can see, feel, or know that there are more puppiesm but it has been more than 4 hours since the last puppy was born, then it is time to go to the vets as soon as possible.
When are elective c-sections recommended?
While healthy pregnancies in dogs are very common and generally go unaided, in some cases, an elective caesarean (or c-section) may be recommended. Your dog may need a scheduled c-section if:
- Puppies are larger than average
- If she is only having one puppy, your dog may not produce enough cortisol to induce natural labor
- Your dog suffers from any health conditions that can affect labor
- If your dog needs a c-section it should be scheduled 63 days from her ovulation which would put the procedure about 24 hours before your dog's due date
How many c-sections can a dog have?
When it comes to how many c-sections a dog can have, there is no set answer, but many breeds believe that a dog should not have more than two or three c-sections in a lifetime. Having more than three could affect the health of your dog and their future puppies.
How to prepare your pet for a c-section?
There are a few things that you should do leading up to your dog’s c-section;
- Stop using flea/ tick medications on e week before your dog’s c-section
- Apply an Adaptil (DAP) to her collar three days before the c-section
- You're going to want to bathe your dog two or three days before the c-section. It is better to have your dog as clean as possible for the surgery. Also, it could be a while before you can bath her after the surgery
- Your dog can not eat on the day of the c-section
- If your dog is taking any medications you must speak with your veterinarian before the c-section for instructions on how to proceed with them
- Your dog should only have water before the c-section
What to bring to the surgery?
You will need to prepare a doggy "go-bag" before you take your dog for her c-section. This bag should include;
- Your cellphone and cellphone charger
- A tarp to put down on your car seat for the drive to the vet's office
- Blankets and towels, both for comfort and cleaning
- Your dog's crate
- A heating pad for the puppies
- A basket or box to carry to the puppies' home afterward
What happens during a c-section?
During a c-section, a dog is put under general anesthesia. Once they are completely asleep, the veterinarian will surgically cut through the dog's abdomen and remove the puppies from the uterus. As a result of the anesthesia in the mother, the puppies may be asleep and unresponsive for a bit. While the surgeon continues to work on the mother, assistants off to the side will work to resuscitate the babies.
After the puppies are resuscitated, the vet will remove the placentas, then begin taking care of the umbilical cords, they will take notes on each puppy as they are delivered, and treat any puppies that appear to have medical conditions. The puppies will be moved to an incubator or warming area for a short time.
Once the puppies and the mother are awake from their anesthesia and have all been cleared, you can take them home.
After her operation, the mother must be monitored so her incision can heal, while simultaneously caring for her newborns.
While this is a fairly invasive procedure, it is routine and performed in most veterinary hospitals and clinic.
How much can a c-section cost?
The cost of your dog's c-section can change due to several factors including the dog pet's size and breed, your dog's age, and if they have any health issues that could cause complications.
What should you expect during the recovery period?
When you take your dog and the new puppies home, you will need to monitor them all carefully. The mother's incision will need monitoring to ensure it heals properly, and she will also probably be prescribed pain medication. At the same time, she will be nursing and caring for her pups, so it's important to make sure they don't accidentally interfere with the incision's healing.
When it comes to the puppies, the mom will do most of the work. Just make sure you check on them and see that they are developing as they should, and provide any supplemental food if told to by your vet.
It is important to follow your vet's instructions carefully. They can help you spot any issues right away and prevent any further complications.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.