Canine Parturition and Neonatal Care

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering canine parturition stages, postpartum medical complications, and neonatal puppy care based on VTHT 2201 lecture materials.

Whelping

The clinical term for the process of a canine giving birth to puppies.

Progesterone (Parturition Role)

A hormone produced by the corpus luteum (CL) throughout pregnancy; its rapid decline triggers the onset of parturition within $12\text{--}24\text{ hours}$.

Prostaglandin (Parturition Role)

A hormone produced by the placenta that rises toward the end of gestation to induce myometrial contractions.

Stage I Parturition (Preparatory Stage)

The initial stage of labor lasting $6\text{--}36\text{ hours}$, characterized by cervical dilation, positioning of the fetus, restlessness, panting, and a drop in maternal rectal temperature to $99^\circ\text{F}$ about $24\text{ hours}$ prior to Stage II.

Stage II Parturition (Expulsion Stage)

The delivery stage characterized by strong uterine contractions and visible abdominal straining; each pup is delivered within $20\text{--}60\text{ minutes}$, with resting intervals of up to $2\text{ hours}$ between pups.

Stage III Parturition (Cleaning Stage)

The stage involving uterine involution and the expulsion of placenta and fetal membranes, which alternates with Stage II deliveries; dark green or black discharge is normal at this point.

Dystocia

Difficult or obstructed labor, which can be caused or aggravated by maternal anxiety, maternal fatigue, or mechanical obstruction.

Whelping Interval Red Flags

Criteria necessitating veterinary contact: $\ge 30\text{ minutes}$ of strong contractions without pup delivery, $> 2\text{ hours}$ of weak contractions without delivery, or resting $> 2\text{ hours}$ after a pup without further contractions.

Lochia

Normal postpartum uterine discharge persisting for $4\text{--}6\text{ weeks}$; it transitions from dark green/black to thin reddish-brown within a few days and requires evaluation if it persists beyond $8\text{ weeks}$.

Metritis

A postpartum bacterial infection of the uterus commonly caused by retained fetal membranes or a retained fetus; clinical signs include depression, anorexia, fever, decreased milk production, and potential systemic toxemia.

Mastitis

Inflammation or infection of one or more mammary glands causing them to become painful and swollen; treated with antibiotics while typically allowing nursing to continue with the puppies' nails trimmed.

Subinvolution of Placental Sites (SIPS)

A canine postpartum complication characterized by delayed or incomplete healing of placental attachment sites, leading to prolonged uterine bleeding.

Eclampsia (Puerperal Tetany)

Life-threatening hypocalcemia occurring primarily at peak lactation ($2\text{--}3\text{ weeks}$ postpartum) in small breeds with large litters; presents with panting, restlessness, high fever, and muscle stiffness progressing to seizures, treated with slow IV calcium gluconate.

Bulb Syringe

A rubber suction instrument used during newborn resuscitation to clear amniotic fluid and mucus from the puppy's oral and nasal cavities.

Betadine

An antiseptic solution applied to the newborn puppy's umbilical cord stump after it has been clamped, tied off, and transected.

Neonatal Hypothermia

A critical condition in puppies under $3\text{ weeks}$ of age who cannot maintain their own body temperature; cold neonates are unable to digest food and require environmental temperatures of $90^\circ\text{F}$ in week 1, $85\text{--}90^\circ\text{F}$ in week 2, and $75\text{--}80^\circ\text{F}$ in week 3.

Pyrantel

An anthelmintic administered to puppies at $2$, $4$, and $6\text{ weeks}$ of age, as well as to the dam after delivery and at each puppy deworming interval.

Pet Nurser

A small nursing bottle fitted with a rubber nipple pierced with $1\text{--}2$ small holes via a flame-heated needle, used to bottle-feed orphan or supplemental puppies.

Perineal Stimulation

The act of rubbing the perineal region with a warm, moist cotton ball (mimicking maternal licking) to stimulate urination and defecation in neonatal puppies.

Neonatal Daily Weight Gain Benchmark

The physiological standard indicating proper neonatal nutrition and health, defined as a daily body weight increase of $5\text{--}10\%$ during the first few weeks of life.

Puppy Weaning Gruel

A transition food prepared by soaking $2\text{ parts}$ water or canine milk replacer with $1\text{ part}$ dry puppy food, fed to puppies starting at $4\text{--}6\text{ weeks}$ of age.

Dam Dietary Weaning Protocol

Management protocol to prevent mastitis when separating pups at $6\text{ weeks}$: food is withheld from the dam for $1\text{ day}$, halved on the subsequent day, and then returned to maintenance levels.