Home › Animalia › Animal health › Animal diseases › Dog dystocia

other disease Dog

Dog dystocia

We speak of dystocia when birth does not take place normally: the puppies do not come out, or not quickly enough. The cause may come from the mother — insufficient contractions, too narrow pelvis, tired uterus — or from the puppy — too larg...

Find a veterinarian All dog diseases

Definition Signs Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Complications When to see a vet Prognosis FAQ Sources Affected species

What is it?

We speak of dystocia when birth does not take place normally: the puppies do not come out, or not quickly enough.

The cause may come from the mother — insufficient contractions, too narrow pelvis, tired uterus — or from the puppy — too large, poorly positioned, malformed.

It is a situation which puts the lives of the puppies and sometimes that of the mother at stake. Every hour lost decreases the chances of getting puppies out alive.

Key point

A birth that does not succeed despite strong and prolonged contractions is an emergency: you must call a veterinarian without delay, day or night.

Commonly observed signs

These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.

Related signs — each one links to its page:

Pain Vulvar discharge Reduction Fatigue Rapid breathing Fever Tremors

Normal birthing takes place in three stages: agitation and preparation of the nest, then visible contractions and expulsion of the puppies, each followed by its placenta.

The signs that should alert you are as follows.

Strong and visible contractions for a prolonged time without any puppy having come out.

Long interruption between two puppies while the female dog is growing or we know there are more.

A visible pup or pouch at the vulva that is not progressing.

Dark green or blackish vulvar discharge without a puppy having yet been born: this signals placental abruption and requires calling immediately.

Heavy bloody discharge, or foul-smelling discharge.

Exhausted, trembling dog, panting, whining constantly, no longer taking care of her already born puppies.

Gestation which extends significantly beyond the expected term without any sign of parturition appearing.

Dog who is down, feverish or who no longer gets up during or after giving birth.

When to consult without delay

This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.

Causes and risk factors

On the mother's side: contractions that are too weak or exhausted, often during very large litters or on the contrary with a single puppy; pelvis too narrow, especially in breeds with a poorly opened pelvis or after an old fracture; dog too fat; abnormality of the uterus; twisting or rupture of the uterus; drop in blood calcium; significant stress that interrupts work.

On the puppy side: puppy too bulky in relation to the sector, particularly in breeds with large heads; abnormal presentation, puppy sideways or head folded; puppy dead, malformed or carrying excess fluid.

In flat-faced breeds, the disproportion between the puppies' heads and the mother's pelvis explains the high frequency of difficult births.

Breeds with broad heads and flat faces, in which difficult birthing is frequent and often planned in advance with the veterinarian.

Dwarf breeds, where single puppies or very small litters are a problem.

Dog too fat, very young or old dog for a first litter.

Very large litter, or on the contrary a single puppy.

History of difficult birth or cesarean section.

Anomaly of the pelvis, old fracture of the pelvis.

Absence of gestation monitoring, a poorly understood term.

Diagnosis and care

Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.

Prepare the birth in advance with your veterinarian: note the mating date, have the pregnancy confirmed and count the puppies by ultrasound and x-ray at the end of gestation. Knowing how many puppies are expected prevents stopping monitoring too early.

When the day comes, note the time the contractions started and the time of birth of each puppy: this information is essential for the veterinarian.

On the phone, describe precisely the duration of the efforts, the number of puppies born, the color of the discharge and the condition of the female dog.

At the clinic, the veterinarian examines the dog, feels the stomach, checks the birth canal, listens to the puppies' hearts using ultrasound and assesses their suffering. An x-ray details the number and position of the remaining puppies.

A blood test looks in particular for a drop in calcium or sugar.

Never pull on an engaged puppy or on the cord: the risk of serious injury for both the puppy and the mother is real.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause and the condition of the puppies.

If the channel is free and the puppies are not suffering, the veterinarian can support the labor: calming down, correcting an imbalance by perfusion, administering medications which strengthen the contractions. These medications are never used at home: given at the wrong time or in the presence of an obstacle, they can rupture the uterus.

An engaged and poorly positioned puppy can sometimes be repositioned or extracted by the veterinarian with appropriate actions.

When labor is not progressing, the tube is blocked or the puppies are suffering, a cesarean section is necessary. Done in time, it saves the litter and the mother.

After birth, the puppies are resuscitated and warmed if necessary, and breastfeeding is organized as soon as the mother is awake.

Antibiotics and painkillers are prescribed depending on the situation.

Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.

Prevention

Monitor the pregnancy: confirmation by ultrasound, counting of puppies by x-ray at the end of gestation, and estimated due date with the veterinarian.

Maintain the female dog at a correct weight during pregnancy: excess weight promotes difficult births.

Prepare a calm, warm and clean place, away from the hustle and bustle, and accustom the female dog to this place a few days before the term.

Have the number of the clinic and the emergency service before the deadline, and know how to get there at night.

In breeds at risk, consider a planned cesarean section with the veterinarian rather than a catastrophic intervention.

Avoid breeding female dogs with a history of dystocia related to their conformation.

Possible complications

Death of puppies from lack of oxygen during prolonged labor.

Exhaustion of the female dog, dehydration, drop in blood sugar or calcium.

Rupture or twisting of the uterus, hemorrhage.

Retention of a puppy or placenta, with infection of the uterus in the days that follow.

Generalized infection.

Infection of the udder, or insufficient lactation after a very trying birth.

Lack of maternal care for the puppies, requiring a shift to bottle feeding.

When to see a veterinarian

Your dog has been pushing hard for a long time without any puppy coming out: call a veterinarian immediately.

A dark green or blackish discharge appears before the first puppy is born.

A puppy or pouch remains engaged at the vulva without progressing.

A long time passes between two puppies while one remains unborn.

She is exhausted, shaking, panting constantly or can't get up.

She is feverish, depressed, or has a smelly discharge after giving birth.

The term is over and nothing happens.

Prognosis

If caught early, the prognosis is good for the mother and often for the majority of the litter.

It deteriorates quickly with waiting time: puppies have difficulty coping with prolonged work.

A Caesarean section carried out in good conditions most often allows the dog to recover quickly and breastfeed normally.

A dystocia linked to the conformation of the breed has a high chance of reoccurring in the next litter: this element must be discussed with the veterinarian before considering a new mating.

Frequently asked questions

How long can you wait between puppies?

A break is normal, but a delay that lengthens while the dog is growing, or there are still puppies to be born, should lead to calling the veterinarian. Better a call for nothing than a lost range.

Can I help by gently pulling on the puppy?

No. Pulling on a puppy or the cord can seriously injure it and harm the mother. If there is a blockage, call the veterinarian.

Is dark green discharge normal?

After the birth of the first puppy, a greenish tint is usual. Before any birth, she reports a placental abruption and requires you to call immediately.

Does cesarean section prevent breastfeeding?

No. Breastfeeding is organized as soon as the mother wakes up, and breastfeeding most often takes place normally.

Is a cesarean section necessary for certain breeds?

In breeds with broad heads and flat faces, a planned cesarean section is often discussed in advance with the veterinarian, because natural birth is often impossible.