Most dog pregnancies go off without a hitch, and the end result is a beautiful litter of adorable, precocious puppies. Unfortunately, there are the rare occasions when a complication occurs and your pregnant pooch is in real trouble. It is important to know what to watch for during your dog̵7;s pregnancy, labor and after she has had her litter.
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Pregnancy and Temperature Drop
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There are many danger signs that might occur for your pregnant dog during the last days of pregnancy and the early stages of labor and labor itself. A normal pregnancy for a dog is around 63 to 65 days. A danger sign is if the pregnancy has lasted for 70 days past the suspected date of conception. One of the earliest signs of labor in a dog is a drop in their temperature, from around 101 degrees to 99 degrees. If there are no puppies one hour after the temp has dropped, this could signal a problem.
Contractions and Pain
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During labor your dog will have several contractions before the puppies are born. If the contractions last for longer than one hour, and there is no puppy, this could be a sign that there is a potential problem. There should also only be a short window of time, no longer than two hours, between the births of each puppy. If it has been longer than two hours, and another puppy has not been born, this could warrant a call to the veterinarian. Labor is also painful, but if your dog is showing signs of extreme pain or excessive vomiting, this could be a danger sign with the birth.
Post-birth Warning Signs
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There are potential issues that could also arise after the birth of the puppies. If your dog is running a fever, which is 104 degrees or higher in canines, or has little interest in food, water or caring for her puppies, contact your veterinarian. Your dog may also suffer from a condition called eclampsia after birth, which is a calcium deficiency. Signs of eclampsia include restlessness, pain, twitching and a general nervousness. A vet should also be contacted if these symptoms arise.
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