You may ask yourself what to do if your pet is pregnant. Ensuring that you are prepared and know what to do is very important so that their whelping will be safe. Whelping is the process of your dog giving birth. There are many things to take note of to ensure safe delivery. For example, you need a rough estimate of the due date of your dog, visit a veterinarian for guidance and advise how to take care of them during pregnancy.
Is It Okay for Them To Deliver at Home?
Many 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 won’t 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 panicking as they are extremely worried about them. Even if everything is going perfectly fine, seeing them in labor is quite scary as there’s nothing we can do but watch them deliver the puppies. Here are some of the 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 restless, panting heavily, digging, or vomiting sometimes. If the amount of vomit is alarming, contact your vet 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; immediately bring your pet to an emergency hospital. You can find out here to see local vet clinics.
Puppy Care
Make sure the puppies have a clean environment once they’re born. Since 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 very vulnerable to infection and diseases, so make sure they have their first puppy vet appointment in their sixth week and for kittens around eight weeks.
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 recommend 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 not sure if you’ll get it or not, it’s best to reach out to your vet for recommendations and more information. You can search online for “spay and neuter clinic in Tracy, CA” to find a local clinic.
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 process, as it can take a very long time for all the puppies to come out. You would also have to monitor 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 don’t want their pets to be pregnant again after seeing what their pets have to go through. But all is worth it to have a new cuddly and cute family member who’ll make us smile even more.
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