Identifying Dog Labor Complications: Symptoms & Diagnos

Section 1: When Can Dogs Experience Difficult Labor?

1. Determined by the gestation period, if the dog has not given birth by the 72nd day after mating, there is a possibility of difficult labor;

2. The normal movement of the fetus before the dog gives birth is a sign of health, but if the puppy has not been born within 30 minutes after delivery, it may indicate difficult labor;

3. The mother dog exhibits severe pain but no puppies are born despite the passage of time;

4. If the amniotic fluid is released two hours ago and the puppy has not been born, and the frequency and duration of contractions decrease, and if the puppy has not been born within three hours of the start of labor, it is considered difficult labor;

5. The mother dog appears weak and lacks the strength to deliver;

6. After delivering a fetus, if the mother dog does not continue to deliver within 4 hours, and there are still fetuses in the birth canal, it is considered difficult labor, which is often caused by weak uterine contractions;

7. For firsttime mothers, if the gestation period exceeds 12 days, and for experienced mothers, if the gestation period extends by about 12 weeks, and if the fetus is still alive, difficult labor may occur during delivery.

Section 2: What to Do If a Dog is Experiencing Difficult Labor

When you suspect that your dog is experiencing difficult labor, avoid taking a chance and hoping for a natural delivery. Difficult labor is a very serious matter, posing risks not only to the fetus but also to the mother dog. Dogs that are struggling to give birth require surgical intervention by a professional veterinarian. Although cesarean section may sound daunting, it is actually safer than allowing the dog to deliver naturally. Therefore, if your dog is experiencing difficult labor, it is crucial to take your pet to the vet for a cesarean section immediately. It is recommended that pet owners undergo early diagnosis and timely surgery during each pregnancy to increase the survival rate of the fetus.

Pet Doctor's Tip: For more information about difficult labor in dogs, you can read the article "What Are the Symptoms of Dog Difficult Labor?"