Risks of Large Litters in Dogs Audrey’s Case

4 Critical Risks for Mother Dogs with Large Litters -- Don't Overlook Them!

Audrey, a first-time mom, came in carrying more than ten puppies in her belly. Her worried owners brought her in for prenatal care from early on, and asked the hospital to monitor her through delivery. When a dog is carrying a large litter, the risks increase accordingly, since complications can occur during birth, such as:

Bleeding or Internal Injury

If a dog is carrying too many puppies, this can cause the uterus to tear, since the uterus can't expand enough. Labor may become obstructed, or not all the puppies may be able to come out.

Stress and Exhaustion in the Mother Dog

Giving birth requires an enormous amount of energy from the mother dog. Even with good care from the owner, the stress of labor can exhaust the mother and cause her to stop pushing.

Prolonged Labor

If labor stalls partway through, medical intervention may be needed, such as a C-section or the use of delivery assistance tools.

Infection

Giving birth to a large litter can increase the risk of uterine infection, which can be fatal for the mother or the puppies.

If you have a dog at home who's close to delivery, you can bring her in for prenatal care at Thonglor Pet Hospital, where our team of veterinarians and nurses will provide close monitoring, which can significantly reduce the various risks that can occur during delivery.