Pet Corner

There are several maladies which can affect the dog after she has given birth to her puppies.

Last week, we began our discussion on the care of the mother dog after she has given birth (post partum). 

Veterinarians (and human doctors as well) speak of the post partum period when referring to the time after the dam (mother dog) has given birth to her puppies. 

I might have mentioned before that, unlike a human foetus, which is usually only one by itself in the womb surrounded by its own thin covering membrane (the amniotic sac), the each of the several puppies in a bitch’s womb is surrounded by its own enveloping bag.

(Continued) Caesarian operation The first question to be asked is when should one consider presenting the mother dog to the veterinarian because of a difficult labour period. 

In the ‘Pet Corner’ of May 19, I mentioned how you could assist your female dog to deliver a pup that is stuck in the birth canal.

(Continued) When to call your vet We have discussed in depth the issue of ‘difficult labour’ (actually, we have belaboured the point in two separate columns), explaining what you can do at home to initially solve the problem. 

(Continued) Prolonged labour (Dystocia, difficult labour) The prolongation of any phase of labour is called dystocia. 

(Continued) So now the first puppy has arrived.  Should you interfere or should you let nature take its course? 

Continued Having already discussed the important matters that surround the pre-whelping period, we’ll concentrate today on the issues associated with labour and the actual delivery.

I have always advocated that bitches should give birth to their offspring in an environment (human ‘family,’ yard/house, etc) in which they feel comfortable and secure, and with which they are acquainted. 

Continued Last week, emphasis was placed on the nutritional regimes of bitches during pregnancy. 

Those who have had to experience my ‘lecturing’ about fat dogs will know that I have a fixation about emphasising the need to have our pets look lean and well conditioned, instead of fat from over-feeding. 

Continued Let’s continue with the matter of pregnancy in our companion animals. 

Now that we are finished with the series of articles on “Fertility/Infertility” in our companion animals, we can now turn the topic of pregnancy.

Last week, we confessed our inability to find a correct place to discuss the condition of ‘false pregnancy’.

(continued) Over the last few weeks, we departed from our theme of “Infertility” and dealt with the topic of “Spaying and Neutering” as a method of stopping fertility (pregnancy).

Last week’s column entitled ‘Spaying and neutering makes sense’ provoked an outpouring of support for the premise, and many callers and e-mail letter writers added further comments on the issue, most of which I will include in this week’s TPC.

Last week, we discussed the option of spaying/neutering as a method of pregnancy prevention. 

Continued from last week We have arrived at the point where we may discuss the final and most reliable method of birth control – the spay.