Beginning of Life

Pregnancy

Puppies & Pets

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Delivery of the placenta:

During stage three the placenta is expelled a few minutes after delivery. A dam will consume the placenta. This is done as an instinctive trait. In the wild the want to eliminate evidence of birth so that other animals cannot prey on their puppies.

Eating one or two placenta can help aid in milk production. However if too many are eaten they can cause diarrhea. It is best to remove the others if there are multiply births.

A retained placenta can cause problems so make sure to count them & notify the vet if you are unsure.

Chewing of the umbelical cord:

Here we see mom chewing off the umbelical cord of her puppy. The stump of the cord should be disinfected, clamped or tied to prevent further bleeding.

My Pebbles did such a good job I didn't have to tie or clamp the cord.

Umbelical Cord:

A dam whelping her first litter should be watched to make sure she doesn't confuse the puppy with the placenta. She may also chew the umbelical cord to close to the puppy & accidently bite the puppy. Watch & assist if needed.

Within one to three days the umbelical cord will dry up and disappear. If it doesn't and looks infected then you need to get the puppy to emergency care as soon as possible.

Pebbles pups cord dried up in two days and was completely gone by the thrid day.

Here we see the remaining placenta and amniotic fluid (yellow).