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| | ===[[Parturition Behaviour - Sow| Sow]] === | | ===[[Parturition Behaviour - Sow| Sow]] === |
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| − | | + | ===[[Parturition Behaviour - Bitch| Bitch]] == |
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| − | == Bitch == | |
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| − | === Stage 1 ===
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| − | * Lasts ~ 12 hours
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| − | * Prepares the bed
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| − | * If carrying one pup, the onset of lactation coincides with parturition.
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| − | * If carrying multiple pups, milk may be expressed from the teats several days prior to the onset of parturition.
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| − | * Body temperature subnormal by at least 1.2◦C within 24 hours before the onset of labour.
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| − | * Restless
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| − | * Indifferent to food
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| − | * Panting
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| − | === Stage 2 ===
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| − | * Depends upon the number of foetuses, but usually lasts ~6 hours.
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| − | * Straining indicates the onset of the second stage.
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| − | * Bitch remains in her bed in sternal recumbency
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| − | * 'Water bag' of the first foetus appears at the vulva, and attains the size of a golf ball.
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| − | * Bitch licks the vulva vigorously and usually ruptures the 'water bag'.
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| − | * Delivery of the head requires the greates effort, once this is bord the rest of the foetus follows easily.
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| − | * Expulsion of the first foetus may take up to 1 hour.
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| − | * Umbillical cord is intact at birth, the mother will soon bite it away.
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| − | * Bitch rests for a time after the birth of the first puppy.
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| − | ** Lies licking the puppy, which soon begins to suckle.
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| − | ** Pays frequent attention to the vulva and licks any discharge.
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| − | * Foetal membranes generally voided in 10-15 minutes and eaten by the bitch.
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| − | * Straining recommences after a delay of 30 minutes - 2 hours.
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| − | * Effort and time required for subsequent deliveries is usually less than the first.
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| − | * May rest in between subsequent deliveries, but may not. The period of rest is also very variable.
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| − | * Puppies tend to be expelled from alternate horns (unlike the sow).
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| − | * Expulsion of foetal membranes is also irregular, they may come out individually, or the next puppy may be born with the membranes of its predeccessor around its neck.
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| − | === Stage 3 === | |
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| − | * Membranes of the last foetus are expelled with it or shortly afterwards.
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| − | * Discharge is dark green in colour.
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| − | ** Due to breakdown of the marginal haematoma, blood pigment biliverdin escapes.
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| − | [[Category:Parturition]][[Category:Reproductive Behaviour]] | |
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