The gestation period of female dogs is about 60 days. After childbirth, the female dog’s body will become weak, and she also needs to nurse her puppies. Therefore, it is particularly important to take care of the dog after giving birth.
Many pet owners will feel very happy and excited after their dogs give birth to puppies, because newborn puppies are very cute. However, besides being happy, it is also necessary to do a good job in postpartum care for dogs.
Then how to do it specifically?
Ensure that the dog is in a clean environment. Pay attention to keeping the female dog clean and hygienic. Brush the whole body of the female dog every day, and keep the environment clean and tidy. Flip and change the straw mats frequently, sun them once a week, and disinfect them once a month. In addition, measures should also be taken to prevent heatstroke and keep warm.
Do not bathe the dog. If the dog is bathed after giving birth, it may cause infection due to water entering the vagina. Moreover, the dog’s spirit and body are very poor after giving birth, and bathing may cause it to catch a cold.
Do not let strangers visit. After giving birth, the female dog will have a nursing instinct and be very sensitive. Dogs with strong territorial awareness may attack strangers who visit in order to protect their puppies.
Ensure the exercise of the female dog. When the weather is warm, the female dog should be let out for 2 to 3 times a day. The daily exercise time can gradually increase from half an hour to about one hour. In addition, attention should also be paid to the management of puppies. The main points are as follows:
Keep warm: newborn puppies have not fully developed their thermoregulation centers and have poor skin temperature regulation function. Therefore, keep them warm.
Arrange for the puppies to nurse in time: newborn puppies cannot produce antibodies in their bodies, while the colostrum secreted by the mother dog within 3 days after childbirth is rich in antibodies, which is the key for puppies to acquire acquired immunity. Therefore, newborn puppies should eat colostrum as soon as possible within 24 hours after birth. For puppies that cannot actively suckle, they should be fed colostrum in time. If necessary, the colostrum can be squeezed out to feed the newborn puppies.
Prevent stepping and pressing: newborn puppies are small, weak, and inflexible. In addition, the mother dog is very tired after childbirth, has poor sensation and reduced reactivity, and is easy to accidentally step on the puppies, causing them to suffocate and die. In addition, when the postpartum mother dog sees strangers, she often gets angry and barks wildly to protect her puppies, which may easily step on and injure the puppies. Pet owners can use a birthing box and a nursing fence to protect the puppies.
Prevent diseases: pet owners should pay attention to the condition of the puppies in time to see if they are in good spirits. If any abnormalities are found, it is necessary to seek medical attention from a veterinarian in time.