-Near their due date, you should begin monitoring her rectal temperature. When her temperature drops below 100°F (normal canine temperature is 101-102°F), labor may be expected within 24 hours.
-During the first stage of labor, uterine contractions begin. She may be restless, pace, dig, shiver, pant, or even vomit. This stage of labor can last 6-12 hrs.
-Puppies are in a membrane that needs to be removed to allow them to breathe. She will likely bite and lick the membrane. Allow her a minute or so to do so, but if she is not getting it done, remove the membrane clean the puppy with a clean, warm towel. The umbilical cord can be tied with string or yard about one inch from the pup and cut if she does not chew it off.
-Generally, one puppy is delivered every 45 to 60 minutes with 10-30 minutes of hard pushing. Some mothers will take a rest with no straining for 2-3 hrs between puppies. If she is seen straining hard for over 30 minutes or if she takes longer than a 4-hour break, consult a veterinarian. This is where it is important to know whether she has delivered the entire litter that was counted on the x-ray.
-Puppies may be delivered tail or head first.
-Call your veterinarian if:
30 to 60 minutes of strong contractions occur with no puppy being produced.
More than 4 hours pass between pups and you know there are more inside.
She fails to go into labor within 24 hours of her temperature drop.
She is obviously in extreme pain.
Greater than 70 days of gestation have passed.
-Green discharge is a bit special as it indicates separation of a placenta from the uterus. During birth of a litter, when the first placenta separates, the puppy will need oxygen very soon. If a puppy is not delivered within 30 minutes of seeing green discharge, it indicates a problem and she should be taken to the veterinarian immediately.