You may find yourself wondering what to do if your pet is pregnant. Ensuring that you are ready and know what to do is crucial 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. For example, you need a rough estimate of your dog’s due date, go to a veterinarian for guidance and recommendations on how to look after them while pregnant.
Is It Okay for Them To Deliver at Home?
Several pet owners would opt to have their pets give birth at home. Same with humans, home birthing is very 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 begin stressing as they are extremely worried about them. Even if everything is going perfectly fine, seeing them in labor is quite frightening as there’s nothing we can do but watch them deliver the new puppies. Here are a few of the critical things you need to keep in mind if your dog is giving birth. You can search online for “emergency vet Tracy CA” to locate an emergency clinic.
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 throwing up sometimes. If the quantity of vomit is alarming, call your veterinarian right away. 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 healthcare facility.
Puppy Care
Ensure the puppies have a clean surrounding once they’re born. Given that they can’t regulate their temperature, you would also have to use a heat lamp during their first month to make sure they are warm. Puppies are highly vulnerable to infection and diseases, so ensure they have their first veterinary consultation in their 6th week and for kittens around eight weeks. You can click here to learn more.
Spay and Neuter
Pregnancy and giving birth put a massive strain on your pet’s body. That’s why if you do not have any plans on breeding them, most vets would recommend having them spayed or neutered. This will also help unwanted pregnancy and overpopulation. On top of that, there are diseases that your pet may be at risk of if they are not spayed or neutered. If you’re not sure if you’ll get it or not, it’s best to reach out to your vet for recommendations and more details. You can click here to get more information.
Conclusion
Giving birth is an uncomfortable and very stressful experience for your dogs. That’s why it’s essential that you are prepared throughout the birthing process, as it can take a long time for all the puppies to come out. You would also have to keep an eye on the puppies as there are some instances where the mother rejects them, which means they won’t 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. But all is worth it to have a new snuggly and charming member of the family that’ll make us smile even more.
