View source for Parturition Behaviour - Bitch


=== Stage 1 ===

* Lasts ~ 12 hours
* Prepares the bed
* If carrying one pup, the onset of lactation coincides with parturition.
* If carrying multiple pups, milk may be expressed from the teats several days prior to the onset of parturition.
* Body temperature subnormal by at least 1.2◦C within 24 hours before the onset of labour.
* Restless
* Indifferent to food
* Panting

=== Stage 2 ===

* Depends upon the number of foetuses, but usually lasts ~6 hours.
* Straining indicates the onset of the second stage.
* Bitch remains in her bed in sternal recumbency
* 'Water bag' of the first foetus appears at the vulva, and attains the size of a golf ball.
* Bitch licks the vulva vigorously and usually ruptures the 'water bag'.
* Delivery of the head requires the greates effort, once this is bord the rest of the foetus follows easily.
* Expulsion of the first foetus may take up to 1 hour.
* Umbillical cord is intact at birth, the mother will soon bite it away.
* Bitch rests for a time after the birth of the first puppy.
** Lies licking the puppy, which soon begins to suckle.
** Pays frequent attention to the vulva and licks any discharge.
* Foetal membranes generally voided in 10-15 minutes and eaten by the bitch.
* Straining recommences after a delay of 30 minutes - 2 hours.
* Effort and time required for subsequent deliveries is usually less than the first.
* May rest in between subsequent deliveries, but may not.  The period of rest is also very variable.
* Puppies tend to be expelled from alternate horns (unlike the sow).
* 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.

=== Stage 3 ===

* Membranes of the last foetus are expelled with it or shortly afterwards.
* Discharge is dark green in colour.
** Due to breakdown of the marginal haematoma, blood pigment biliverdin escapes.

[[Category:Parturition]][[Category:Reproductive Behaviour]]