What it is
Birth runs in stages: first the mother grows restless and makes a nest, then contractions push each puppy along the birth canal, and the afterbirth follows. Trouble can start on her side, when the uterus tires and contracts too weakly or the pelvis is narrow, or on the puppy's side, when a puppy is very large, lies awkwardly or has a head too big for the birth canal.
Birth can be harder for dogs with broad heads and narrow hips, for very small females, and for mothers carrying a single large puppy or a very big litter. The mother's age, weight and general fitness play a part too.
If you are expecting puppies, prepare a quiet, warm whelping area well ahead, note the mating date and keep an out-of-hours vet's number to hand. Stay close during the birth, watch calmly and note when each puppy arrives, so you can tell the vet exactly what has happened.
Signs you may notice
- Hard straining with no puppy
- Long gap between puppies
- Dark or bloody discharge
- Puppy stuck in the birth canal
- Mother exhausted, weak or trembling
Be concerned if she strains hard for a long time without a puppy being born, if a very long time passes between puppies, if dark or bloody discharge appears without a puppy, or if she seems exhausted and weak. In any of these cases, see a vet immediately.
When to see a vet
If she strains hard without a puppy being born, goes a very long time between puppies, has dark or bloody discharge or seems exhausted, a vet is needed immediately.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.