How long dogs in labor

Make sure you have all the details of the mating if known. Most dogs whelp normally without any trouble, but if problems arise, you should contact your vet straight away. There is usually a small amount of blood produced around the time of whelping, but anything more than a few drip is abnormal and should be checked immediately by your vet.

Please note, our vets and nurses are unable to respond to questions via this form. Donate Menu. Get help. Find us. Pet Health Hub Search. Whelping — a guide to your dog giving birth. Check your pet's symptoms. Print this page. Call your vet for advice immediately if your dog is having trouble giving birth or has been straining for minutes without producing a puppy — a delay could be the difference between life and death.

PDSA vets recommend neutering your dog to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancies. Warm and comfortable. Lined with a clean absorbent bedding towels are perfect. Big enough for your dog to stretch out and turn around in. High enough to stop new-born puppies escaping, but low enough for your dog to step over. Also - make sure you have plenty of clean towels or paper towel for clearing up.

Feeding, worming and general care Make sure your dog is well fed and regularly dewormed during her pregnancy. Set up a whelping box for your dog somewhere quiet. Giving birth Once strong contractions and straining begins, your dog will start having her puppies. The first puppy often takes the longest to be born; if contractions are weak it can take between two-four hours, but if contractions are strong, it should come within minutes.

There will then be a time gap between following puppies, which can range from five minutes to one and a half hours. As long as your dog is comfortable, a gap between puppies is fine. If at any point, your dog has been straining and having strong contractions for minutes, without progressing or producing a puppy, contact you vet urgently. Most puppies are born head first but some come tail first.

Puppies are born inside a thin sac , which the mother will remove, enabling them to breathe. After each puppy, your dog should pass an afterbirth placenta , which they often eat. The placenta is the structure that provides oxygen and nutrients to the puppy while its developing in the womb.

Between each puppy, your dog should seem comfortable, settled and be licking her newborn until her contractions restart and straining begins again. You may see a small amount of green tinged discharge following a pup being born, but a thick green discharge without a puppy is a concern. This typically happens a few days before or as labor begins. About hours before your dog goes into labor, their temperature will drop from Once temperature drops bring your dog to the nesting spot.

If you see green discharge this means contractions have begun and they will appear as a wave across her belly. When dogs go into labor instincts take over. For the most part you are just there for your dog. Puppies can be born head or tail first; both are normal. Delivery process can take anywhere between an hour to 24 hours. If labor lasts for four hours with no puppies or between puppies call your veterinarian. Traditionally, a pup is born within 45 to 60 minutes. Puppies are born in a sac.

Once you know how a normal birth progresses, any deviation from that norm is worthy of a phone call to your veterinarian or an emergency clinic depending on the time of day.

In general, though, consider calling if as stated by UCDavis :. Know what to expect. And know who to call. If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets. Skip to main content. Mike Paul, DVM. A normal delivery should occur within 10 to 60 minutes of strong, stage two, labor contractions.

In general, though, consider calling if as stated by UCDavis : Your dog goes beyond her proposed due date You do not see evidence that Stage 1 labor has started hours after the drop in rectal temperature mentioned above Stage 1 labor has not progressed to Stage 2 labor after 24 hours The first puppy has not been delivered after 1 hour of active labor It has been more than two hours without another puppy arriving. It is normal for dogs to occasionally take a break from labor between pups, but that resting period tends to last just an hour or two.

Vaginal discharge turns green or involves large amounts of blood between deliveries. Your dog is in apparent distress or pain.