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, uteroverdin which is the product of biliverdin breakdown escapes.