How to Get Dried Birth Sac off of a Puppy

Many puppies are born without human help. In rare instances, the mother either has difficulty with labor and cannot attend to the puppies already born, or is disinterested in the puppies due to distress or pain. In most cases, the mother rips off -- and sometimes ingests -- the birth sac, or placenta, and begins licking them vigorously to stimulate breathing. If you need to step in and assist, simulating the mother's natural process is the most effective method.

Things You'll Need

  • Towels
  • Washcloth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Rip the birth sac near the puppy's head and tear it away from the puppy. Time is of the essence, as the puppy has a limited supply of oxygen in the placenta. Wipe the puppy's nose and mouth with a clean, soft towel. This will clear away mucus that may inhibit the puppy's breathing.

    • 2

      Rub the puppy gently but vigorously with your hands to stimulate breathing and increase circulation. Once the puppy is clearly breathing on its own, you may place it near the mother to begin suckling.

    • 3

      Rub any remaining dried placenta or birth sac off the puppy with a warm, soft towel. Be very gentle, as puppies are quite fragile. Allow the mother to clean the puppy herself if she wishes.

    • 4

      Apply a washcloth dampened with warm water to any pieces of the birth sac that have dried on the puppy. Use gentle, sweeping downward strokes, wiping in the direction of the puppy's hair growth. This should remove any dried birth sac without harming the puppy or hindering the bonding process with the mother.