You may ask yourself what to do if your pet is pregnant. Ensuring that you are ready and know what to do is very important so that their whelping will be safe. Whelping is the procedure of your dog giving birth. There are numerous things to take note of to ensure safe delivery. It would be best if you have a rough estimate of the due date of your dog, go to a vet for assistance and recommendations on how to take care of them during pregnancy.
Is It Okay for Them To Deliver at Home?
Many pet owners would choose to have their pets give birth at home. Same with humans, home birthing is extremely common. On the other hand, we will not know if any complications will arise, and that’s where the problem starts for home birthing.
If we notice one thing going wrong, it’s normal for pet owners to start stressing as they are extremely worried about them. Even if everything is going perfectly fine, seeing them in labor is rather scary as there’s nothing we can do but watch them deliver the new puppies. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind if your dog is giving birth.
Labor
During labor, your pet may experience contractions that can last from 6 to 12 hours. You’ll notice your pet getting uneasy, panting heavily, digging, or vomiting sometimes. If the quantity of vomit is alarming, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. You also need to watch out for vaginal discharge, bleeding, especially if your dog has been straining for 20 to 30 minutes, but no puppies are coming out; promptly bring your pet to an emergency medical facility. You can find a Tracy emergency vet by searching online.
Puppy Care
See to it the puppies have a clean surrounding once they’re born. Because they can not regulate their temperature, you would also have to use a heat lamp throughout their first month to make sure they are warm. Puppies are very vulnerable to infection and illness, so ensure they have their first veterinary consultation in their sixth week and for kittens around eight weeks. You can browse through clinics in Tracy, CA on their websites.
Spay and Neuter
Pregnancy and giving birth put a huge strain on your pet’s body. That’s why if you don’t have any plans on breeding them, most veterinarians would suggest having them spayed or neutered. This will also help unwanted pregnancy and overpopulation. On top of that, there are illnesses that your pet may be at risk of if they are not spayed or neutered. If you’re uncertain if you’ll get it or not, it’s ideal to talk to your vet for recommendations and more details. You can learn more about these procedures through a vet clinic’s website.
Conclusion
Giving birth is a painful and very stressful experience for your dogs. That’s why it’s essential that you are prepared during the birthing procedure, as it can take a long time for all the puppies to come out. You would also need to keep an eye on the puppies as there are some instances where the mother rejects them, which means they will not be fed. There are even pet owners that do not want their pets to be pregnant again after seeing what their pets need to go through. All is worth it to have a new cuddly and adorable family member who’ll make us smile even more.
