Parturition Behaviour - Bitch

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

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.

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, uteroverdin which is the product of biliverdin breakdown escapes.