Within the last year, there has been a surge in puppy breeding. Many people love to breed their pets, but it is important to ensure that you have done everything possible to keep your pet and future puppies as healthy as possible.

The Parents

It is important to ensure your pet’s regular vaccinations are up to date, as this is the only protection puppies have when they are first born via the mother’s milk.

Ensure that all flea and tick prevention is up to date. There are limited products licensed in a pregnant or lactating female, so great care is needed.

Worming: all females need to be wormed from day 40 of pregnancy until 2 days post whelping. This is to ensure that the puppies are protected against certain worms, which can be passed whilst in utero.

Health Testing

It is very important that we consider the specific health tests needed for each breed. One of the most common is hip and elbow scoring, for example in Labrador Retrievers. However, there are many different conditions specific to each breed.

Certain breeds require a Kennel Club assured ophthalmologist to carry out eye testing, others require DNA tests for conditions associated with the bladder. A full list of conditions specific to each breed is available on the Kennel Club website. Whilst this isn’t a legal requirement, it is very much part of responsible breeding. Many of these conditions are genetic and can cause significant health conditions in our pets. The aim of these schemes is to better protect the health of future generations.

It is also important to note some conditions cannot be tested for, for example lingually displaced canines (this is where the baby canine teeth grow abnormally and can cause pain and abnormal jaw growth). If your pet, as a puppy, has a condition such as this, it is also not recommended to use them for breeding as this is also a hereditary condition.

It is vital to note that both parents require health testing to ensure you have done everything you possibly can to produce healthy puppies.

Mating

You’ve done all the health testing and you are now ready for mating! Sometimes travelling is required for you to go to your chosen stud dog. We are able to perform in house progesterone testing to try and assess when ovulation is occurring to hopefully provide the perfect interval for a successful mating. However, as always, nature is the best indicator, so, if your female is standing, then it is likely she is ready. It is common practice for two mating’s to be carried out to ensure the best chance of a successful outcome.

We can carry out the Herpes vaccination in female dogs 7-10 days after the presumed mating date and again 1-2 weeks before the expected whelping date. Although a relatively rare cause canine herpes virus is known to cause abortion and still births.

Pregnancy Scan

We can carry out an ultrasound pregnancy scan at approximately 4 weeks post mating. This is mainly to confirm a pregnancy. It is important to note you will not be given firm numbers as to how many pups you might be expecting.

Diet

A pregnant female, as she goes through her pregnancy, will require a change in her diet at approximately week 6. It is important that she is slowly transitioned on to a high quality puppy food (often the one you will wean the puppies on to). She will stay on this until approximately 3-4 weeks post whelping. Towards the later stages of pregnancy, she will need multiple small meals throughout the day.

Items you need to consider

1) Whelping box
This is really important to have ordered well in advance as mum needs to get used to it. There are many companies that manufacture them, so it’s important to do your research. You must measure her from her nose to her tip of tail as she needs to be able to lie flat out in all directions. The box must be easily cleaned (often a plastic one is best), and some come with ‘pig rails’, which are ideal for creating a ‘safe zone’ for newborn puppies where mum can’t accidentally stand on them.

2) Bedding
You need to consider suitable bedding to have in the whelping box. ‘Vet Beds’ are a perfect option as they are comfy, but also very hygienic. Absorbent puppy pads are useful to place underneath the vet bedding to help protect your plastic base.

3) Heat lamp
Newborn puppies require a much higher ambient temperature compared to older puppies and mum, as they cannot regulate their own temperature. Again, there are many options, so research is key. It is important to allow time for mum to acclimatise to the heat lamp, so start turning it on for short periods of time about 2 weeks before the puppies are due.

4) Bottles and replacement milk
Hopefully, you will not need these too often, but it is always better to be prepared. Sometimes a puppy may need a helping hand and require a milk top up. In these instances, always try and get them to feed from mum before the bottle.

5) Scales
It is essential that you are weighing each individual puppy daily in the first 2 weeks. This is to ensure they are all gaining weight and allows you to pick up individuals who may be struggling.

Whelping day!

Labour is broken down into 3 key areas:

1st Stage Labour: This can last approximately 24 hours in a first-time mum and can involve her dropping off her food, ‘nesting’ and generally being agitated.

2nd Stage labour: Clear discharge is passed from the vulva and mum starts abdominal contractions; a puppy should arrive within 20 minutes. Sometimes mum needs a hand to break the sac around the puppy. It is important that you clear the puppy’s airways. Sometimes having a small towel nearby to help dry the puppy and also stimulate them to breathe is very helpful. Pass the new one to mum who should lick and stimulate the puppy. It is also vital puppies get to suckle as soon as possible, as the first milk available is colostrum, which is essential for all of the puppies.

3rd Stage: Passing of the placenta. Mum will often eat the placenta, and this is normal. It is important, however, that you closely monitor as you do not want her chewing it off too close to the navel. Occasionally you might need to help tie off the umbilical cords as well

Once mum has passed the last puppy, she should settle and be interested in water and toileting.

It is very important to note that during labour if you have unproductive straining, dark green vulva discharge, or you can indeed feel a puppy stuck in the canal, you must ring your vet. It is worth knowing that should your bitch require a caesarean this can cost up to £1000 and is classed as a high risk procedure.

Breeding your dog is hopefully a very enjoyable experience, but it is also a very involved procedure; carrying out your research and being prepared certainly will help you. As always we are available via phone or email to help you, should you have any queries, on 01665 252 250 or email us at info@coquetvets.co.uk