Almost 98% of dogs give birth without incident, but in a few cases, an infection or another abnormality may cause a dog to go into labor before the right time. This is defined as early contractions and labor (or ‘premature labor’) by veterinarians.

Vomiting/sickness “About three weeks after she has become pregnant, a female dog may start to show some mild stomach upset, a drop in her appetite and sometimes even vomiting,” she says. “This is similar to human morning sickness and occurs because of hormonal swings.”

As with morning sickness in women, your dog may vomit a little during the first phases of pregnancy. If the vomiting continues or there is something else worrying you, consult your vet.

Generally speaking, the period of 42 days onwards is the most common time that owners are able to feel puppies move in their pregnant dog. The puppies can grow to 45 mm long and might even weigh 6 grams at this point.

Abnormal vaginal discharge (brown, green, black, or pus-colored) at any time during pregnancy, abdominal pain, and fever are all potential signs of miscarriage or infection. Additionally, some pets experiencing a miscarriage will begin to have contractions and deliver stillborn puppies.

Canine parturition/whelping occurs in 3 stages. The first stage is when the uterus begins to contract and cause the cervix to dilate. Stage one can last 6 to 12 hours in the dog. Signs that you may see in the female are restlessness, panting, pacing, or “nesting” type behavior.

You may notice several changes in your dogs that can indicate that she is close to giving birth. Those include: an enlarged or dropped belly, enlarged nipples with the full teats, increased nervousness (pacing, panting) along with increased rest when she is not pacing.

After the temperature drop, stage I labor begins, characterized by restlessness and anxiety. You may notice panting, pacing, refusal of food and maybe vomiting. Nesting behavior begins. This is the time to place her in the whelping box (hopefully she is already accustomed to the box).

Most female dogs show signs of depression after the loss of their litter, but over time, they should recover and go back to their old ways. Limit her activity for the first few days after the miscarriage, and make sure she has access to clean, cool water, as well as a quiet, comfortable place where she can rest.

What is Early Contractions and Labor? The normal gestation period for female dogs is approximately 63 days. Depending on the breed, pregnancy can range from 56 to 69 days, with smaller dogs generally giving birth slightly earlier.

Have help on hand Get hold of your vet’s out-of-hours phone number prior to your dog giving birth, as delivery often happens during the night. Let your vet know your dog’s due date (if they don’t know already), so they know when to be on stand-by.

Stage 2 – this is the actual delivery of the puppy! There are visible and strong contractions, and she may pant or yelp. It shouldn’t last more than 2 hours, and in most cases less than one. The vaginal discharge in Stage 2 varies from clear, to red, to green – all are potentially normal!

Hi there and thanks for your question. While it is possible for dogs to go through a period of “morning sickness” it usually happens around 3-4 weeks into the pregnancy. At 8 weeks pregnant (or 56 days) she is likely within a week of delivery.

You can help your dog by making changes in the way you feed her and in preparing a safe and comfortable place to give birth. Pregnancy occurs approximately 11 to 14 days after insemination. A veterinarian can feel the swelling of the uterus approximately 3 to 4 weeks. later. Pregnancy lasts 56 to 70 days.

The vulva will remain swollen. Continue normal exercise and nutrition. At 28 – 30 days into the suspected dog pregnancy, your veterinarian can perform a blood test to determine if your dog is indeed pregnant. This test checks for the hormone relaxin, which is produced when the fertilized egg implants.

Do not use flea treatments or wormers during this time, unless advised by a vet. An average pregnancy lasts for anything from 56 to 70 days depending on the breed, so this is still early days. Once out of heat, you can continue as usual with your dog – you can groom, feed and walk them exactly as you would if they were not pregnant.