In this article on our site we are going to talk about the moment of parturition in bitches, specifically we will explain some complications that, luckily, in a low percentage, we will be able to find each other, so it is convenient that, as caregivers, we manage information about it.
It is normal that if we observe our dog very restless, uncomfortable or nervous, we worry and try to find out what is happening to her. Therefore, below we will focus on answering the question Why does a dog pant a lot after giving birth As we will see, it is a reason to consult our veterinarian, so keep reading and discover the root causes.
How is the delivery of a dog?
After about two months' gestation, the bitch is about to give birth. In general, this process will occur spontaneously and without any complications. All we have to do is offer her a comfortable "nest" and observe, although many bitches prefer to give birth in another place of their choice. The delivery will consist of the following phases:
- The first, which lasts several hours, is characterized by uterine contractions that dilate the cervix through which they will emerge the puppies. Some dogs may feel restless or uncomfortable.
- During the second phase the contractions intensify and the birth of the puppiesThis is when it is common to see the dog anxious, gasping, licking or vomiting. They are, therefore, normal behaviors that do not indicate any pathology. The puppies can go outside inside the amniotic fluid bag or it can break before, in which case we will observe a yellowish secretion that corresponds to its content. The cub will be born in minutes.
- In the third stage of labor the expulsion of the placentaoccurs, shortly after the birth of each puppy. We must try to count them because there must be as many as puppies.
It is normal for the bitch to tear the entire sacs, as well as the cord, and to ingest the placentas. She will also lick the pup to clean it and remove any fluid that she might have in her nose and mouth. The little ones will soon begin to suckle. But why does a recently given birth dog pant? We explain it below.
Is the recently delivered bitch panting from exhaustion?
Both childbirth and pregnancy involve physical overexertionfor the bitch, so we must take care of her, feeding her and, in general, her well-being. But this effort is physiological. As soon as the dog finishes giving birth, it is normal for her to be calm and dedicate herself to resting while the puppies suckle. Therefore, if the dog is panting a lot after giving birth, it will not be due to fatigue, but it could be a sign of exhaustion of her uterus Sometimes there are difficulties that prevent that this organ acts effectively and the dog will show it with panting, restlessness, anxiety, etc., a sign that, in reality, the birth has not concluded. She needs veterinary attention that can even be a caesarean section.
If the dog has undergone surgery, is older or does not pay much attention to the puppies, we can help her, as long as she allows us to and our presence does not cause her stress. To do this, we recommend this article: "How to help a dog take care of her puppies?".
Complications after delivery of bitches
Although, as we have said, the birth process and the puerperium usually occur without any complications, we must pay attention to signs such as the following, which may indicate postpartum problems:
- Subinvolution of placentation sites: the uterus, logically, increases in size during pregnancy and, after delivery, must return to its original form. Sometimes this does not happen, which produces some lochia that persist for weeks. The diagnosis is confirmed by ultrasound. It can resolve itself or become complicated, so sterilization is recommended.
- Metritis: This is a bacterial infection that occurs produced in the uterus for different reasons. It causes fever, lethargy, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, foul-smelling lochia, etc. Prompt veterinary treatment is required as the infection could become widespread and fatal.
- Septic mastitis: in this case the infection occurs in the breasts. The bitch will have a fever and symptoms as described for metritis. In addition, the affected mammary glands will be swollen, which causes a lot of pain, and can cause the dog to cry after giving birth Veterinary treatment is also necessary. If the infection affects lactation and the puppies are less than three weeks old, we must artificially feed them with a milk formulated specifically for dogs.
- Eclampsia: this disease is caused by a low level of calcium in the body. Symptoms include restlessness, pale mucous membranes, and altered breathing, which may explain why a bitch is breathing very rapidly after giving birth. In the next section we will talk more in depth about this serious problem.
Eclampsia in bitches, cause of panting after giving birth
Eclampsia, also known as milk fever, is a pathology that can occur up to 2-4 weeks after giving birth Bitches with eclampsia often show incoordination and seizures, in addition to excessive panting or rapid breathing. It is a veterinary emergency, since, as we have said, it is caused by a decrease in calcium levels.
This low calcium may appear as a result of improper nutrition during pregnancy or because the dog was given calcium supplements without veterinary prescription. For this reason, it is essential to always consult a specialist before giving any type of product or supplement to a pregnant dog. We must pay special attention to bitches that have given birth to a large litter, because breastfeeding will involve a high consumption of their calcium reserves.
Is it normal for a bitch to breathe fast after giving birth?
Removing eclampsia, which, as we have seen, usually occurs 2-4 weeks after delivery, when a recently given birth bitch is panting it may be because is still in the second stage of labor in which, as we mentioned, the contractions intensify and the puppies are born. Even when we have monitored the pregnancy it is possible that more puppies are born than we expected, since it is not always possible to detect them all. Therefore, why our dog pants a lot after giving birth may simply be because it has not finished. If this situation continues for more than a few hours or the bitch makes efforts to give birth without expelling any other puppy, we should call the vet.
If you wonder how long a dog's labor lasts, in this article you will find all the related information. Likewise, we explain how to know if the bitch has finished giving birth.
Why does my dog pant a lot when she nurses?
If this panting does not happen immediately after giving birth, but the bitch breathes very fast when nursing, it may be due to the aforementioned postpartum eclampsiaAgain, a visit to the vet is necessary because eclampsia in dogs requires treatment at a clinic. After carrying out the appropriate tests to reach the diagnosis, such as a blood test, the specialist will regulate the calcium levels by administering this mineral intravenously. In addition, it is possible that glucose and magnesium levels are altered, so it will also be necessary to restore them.
