Your Litter A to Z, Module 7 - Labor and Whelping

A2Z Quick Links

• A2Z Calendar and Reminders
• Deworming Info
• Ca:Ph Ratio Calculator
• Safe Drugs, Pregnancy & Lactation
• Post-Natal Calcium Calculator
• A2Z Master Supplies List

Module 7 Documents

• Module To Do's
• Temperature Chart
• Whelping Rules
• Litter Diary
• Whelping Diary
• Birth Record
• Whelping Equipment and Supplies
• Things to Take to the Vet During a Whelping or for C-Section

What’s In This Module

• Labor & Whelping Basics
• Stage 1 Labor
• Stage 2 and 3 Labor, the Birth of Your Pups
• Monitor Your Unborn Pups
• Resuscitating and Reviving Puppies
• Stillborn Puppies
• Calculate How Much Calcium to Give Your Bitch
• If You Need To Go To The Vet
• Cesarean Sections (C-sections)
• Section 2 Pregnancy & Whelping Quiz

📚 Section 2 Pregnancy & Whelping Quiz & Certificate of Recognition 📚

Labor and Whelping Basics

• Read the Labor and Whelping chapter FIRST. This chapter covers the details of 1st and 2nd stage labor, reviving pups, c-sections, and more.
• Print out and complete the Whelping Rules. These rules will enable you to keep your bitch safe and make good decisions regarding c-sections and other assistance.
• Download and use the Whelping Diary to track your bitch’s progress through the whelping process. More detail is better than less!
• Download and use the Litter Birth Record to track the birth of and details about each pup.

Stage 1 Labor

Stage 1 is preparatory labor prior to the birth of the pups. It usually last 12 to 48 hours, but can feel much longer as you await the arrival of your puppies. During this time, your bitch’s body will undergo many changes so it’s important for you to know what is normal and what is of concern. This video shows the many behaviors you are likely to see during Stage 1.

• Audio
• Transcript

Canine Health Foundation Podcast on Whelping and Dystocia

• Transcript to AKC CHF Whelping and Dystocia

Stage 2 and 3 Labor, the Birth of Your Pups

This is what you’ve been waiting for! Stage 2 is the birth of a pup and Stage 3 is the delivery of the placenta.

Stage 2 & 3 Labor Video

• Audio
• Transcript

Birth And Cutting Cord Video

Another Birth Video (birth at 3:00)

Monitor Your Unborn Pups During The Whelping

Listen to Fetal Puppy Heartbeat (download)

Resuscitating and Reviving Puppies

• Read Reviving and Monitoring Neonate Puppies.
• Review the Resuscitating section of Labor and Whelping, pp 18-21.
• This article by Davidson and Baker is very good but we’d recommend NOT using iodine to treat umbilical cords. Instead, either do no treatment (dry care) or use chlorhexadine at birth and then twice a day until the cord dries and falls off. Neonatal Resuscitation, 2013 Davidson A, T Baker

Stillborn Puppies

• Factors Associated with Stillborn Puppies – this report provided info on various factors that are associated with an increased risk of stillborn pups, as well as how to avoid them.

Calculate How Much Calcium and of What Type to Give Your Bitch During Whelping

• Read the calcium section of Labor and Whelping, pp 10-12.
• Calcium Calculator

If You Need To Go To The Vet, Take Your “Go Bag” With These Items

• Things To Take to the Vet’s During Whelping

Cesarean Sections (C-sections)

• Learn More About C-Sections
• WSAVA C-Section Pain Guidelines
• Comparison of 3 anesthetic protocols for the elective cesarean-section in the dog: Effects on the bitch and the newborn puppies
• Puppy survival and vigor associated with the use of low dose medetomidine premedication, propofol induction and maintenance of anesthesia using sevoflurane gas-inhalation for cesarean section in the bitch

Section 2 Pregnancy and Whelping Quiz

Complete and pass the quiz below to earn a Certificate of Pregnancy & Whelping.

Your Litter A to Z Table of Contents

Section 1: Pre-Breeding

• Intro to Your Litter A to Z
• Module 1: Preparing Your Dogs For the Breeding
• Module 2: She’s In Season

Section 2: Pregnancy & Whelping

• Module 3: The First Trimester (From ovulation to Day 21)
• Module 4: The Second Trimester (Day 22-42)
• Module 5: Placing Your Puppies
• Module 6: The Third Trimester (Day 43-whelping)
• Module 7: Labor & Whelping

Section 3: Litter Management: Month 1

• Module 8: The First 48 Hours (Birth to 48 hours)
• Module 9: Your Litter’s First Week (Birth to Day 7)
• Module 10: Your Litter’s Second Week (Day 8-14)
• Module 11: Your Litter’s Third Week (Day 15-21)
• Module 12: Your Litter’s Fourth Week (Day 22-28)

Section 4: Litter Management: Month 2

• Module 13: Your Litter’s Fifth Week (Day 29-35)
• Module 14: Your Litter’s Sixth Week (Day 36-42)
• Module 15: Your Litter’s Seventh Week (Day 43-49)
• Module 16: Sending Puppies Home
• Module 17: Your Litter’s Eighth Week (Day 50-56)
• Module 18: After the Eighth Week (Day 57 and beyond)

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