Most births are uneventful, but recognizing dystocia early is what saves puppies and the bitch.
Dystocia means difficult birth — from a puppy stuck in the canal, weak or absent contractions, an oversized puppy or an abnormal position. Small and flat-faced breeds are at higher risk and sometimes plan a cesarean in advance.
Call immediately for strong contractions for 30 to 60 minutes with no puppy, more than two to three hours between puppies with more due, green-black discharge before the first puppy, or a bitch who is weak, collapsing or straining unproductively.
Have the vet's out-of-hours number ready before the due date, know the route to the emergency clinic, and keep the bitch's history and due dates in the app. Do not attempt to pull a stuck puppy hard yourself — call for professional help.
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