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If your pet is pregnant, well congratulations. In most cases, everything will be fine and soon you will have puppies, a lot of them. But, in some situations, you will have to do more than just wait. For instance, you will have to induce labor. How to induce dog labor at home? Today you will get your answer and also we will reveal why you should do this.
When Should You Induce Labor?
Before you get all the answers regarding the topic you need to know the most obvious thing. Why would you have to induce labor? There are 3 main issues that you need to know in this case. How to induce dog labor at home? We will answer this question later.
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Your pet is overdue
Your dog will carry puppies between 59 and 70 days. If she is overdue, you will want to induce labor and help her complete this mission.
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Stage 1 for more than a day
This simply means that your dog has been stuck in stage 1 for 24 hours or even longer. She cannot move to stage 2 and she will need help. Inducing labor can help her.
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Break in the labor that lasts 2 or more hours
If labor started normally but then it stopped and nothing happens for 2 hours you will have to induce labor.
Methods You Can Use To Induce Labor
Here are the most effective and the simplest methods you can use to induce labor. All of these will work well but there are many variations and things you need to know.
1. Have a walk together
This has to be the simplest method here and one that works well. All you have to do is to bring your pet outside for a walk. There are a few things you have to remember. Don’t walk far away from home. Carry a towel and a flashlight if you are walking at night. Labor can start at any given moment. If your pet wants to pee, allow her this. It can trigger labor.
Of course, no long walks, no walks where your pet will jump and run. You need to provide her with a gentle and relaxing walk.
2. Feathering
This particular method is extremely effective. But it is more complex than others and isn’t appealing. You should use it only if your pet didn’t start labor. In general, you will have to put on a latex glove, use a lubricant, and push your fingers inside the vulva. Then, tickle the top of the vulva and use gentle pressure and slow movement. Now you know why this is called feathering.
If you do this, make sure that your latex glove is 100% sterile. If you even touch anything else, replace the glove immediately. K-Y jelly is a lubricant that works well in this case scenario.
3. Massaging the nipples
Here is an interesting thing you can do. Massaging the nipples can induce labor quickly. See, when a dog gives birth to one puppy, he will instantly start feeding. This will stimulate and speed up contractions and labor in general. When you massage the nipples, you are mimicking this hence you can induce labor even if she didn’t give birth to a single puppy yet.
4. Massage her abdomen
This is one of the simpler and easier ways you can use to induce the labor of your pet. The only issue here is that you must be more than just gentle. Do not apply too much pressure. Do not use fast movement or anything similar. You must be extremely gentle in order to avoid injuries to the puppies and the dog. You can start with this method and see how it will work.
5. Calcium supplements
Yes, you can use calcium supplements. There are a few things you need to know here. First and foremost, you will never use this before the labor has started and the bitch gave birth to the first puppy. If you use calcium supplements before this, to start the labor there might be some complications. Just to repeat ourselves. You can use calcium supplements after the labor has started but it has stopped!
Using Oxytocin
This can be used as a method to induce labor but you shouldn’t use it. It should be used by professional breeders and vets. An oxytocin injection can induce labor. However, if you give it too soon, it can be deadly and cause all kinds of severe complications. Unless your vet gave you specific instructions or you know what you are doing, don’t use this method and use the ones from above.
When Will Your Pet Need Professional Help?
As you can see, you can induce labor and in most cases, this will be an effective, simple, and fast process. But there are cases when your pet needs professional help. You won’t be able to do anything and the risk is present. In general, there are three situations when your pet needs professional help.
1. Your pet hasn’t started with labor after 70 days since breeding
There are many things that can go wrong here so it is better to have professional help. Try to remember that most dogs will start with labor 69 days after breeding.
2. Labor lasts 24 hours or longer
As you can assume, there might be some complications.
3. Your pet is pushing for 2 or more hours but still, there is no puppy
Once again, all kinds of things can cause this. This is a very risky situation and professional help is more than just needed.
Conclusion
Still, want to know how to induce dog labor at home? All of these methods will work. Some will work better and sooner while others will need more time. It is important to add that all of the methods here are safe to use. They are not invasive or dangerous! This doesn’t apply to the oxytocin method. Make sure you avoid using this method unless you are an expert.
Recommended Readings:
- How Soon Can I Walk My Dog After Neutering.
- Why Is My Dog Sleeping On The Floor?
- Why Does My Dog Snorts Like A Pig?
- Where Are Dogs Ticklish And How You Can Tickle Him.
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