Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.
Dog Health Care
Information by Condition or Disease

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Any health care links located here are NOT to replace a veterinarian visit; please take your cat to a vet immediately at any sign of odd behavior or any symptoms of illness or injury. Call your vet and describe your cat's symptoms with any of your concerns about the cat's well-being. Your veterinarian may discover changes in your cat's health that you have overlooked. It is always better to err on the side of caution.

Disclaimer: Pawprints and Purrs, Inc. is an animal advocacy organization. We do NOT advocate breeding in any form or fashion. As rescue workers for both dogs and cats, feral cat caregivers, and as shelter/sanctuary workers, we strongly promote pet owner responsibility, which includes spaying and neutering of all pets. The information provided on this page is strictly for educational purposes for domesticated and feral dog rescuing, fostering, adopting and caregiving.

Cesarean Section Post-Operative Instructions

A cesarean section is major surgery to remove puppies from the uterus. Most dogs recover quickly from this procedure; however, if your dog was in labor for several hours before surgery was performed, her recovery will be slower, and she will need extra attention and help with her litter.

What should I expect during the mother's recovery period?

The mother has been given an anesthetic that is eliminated from her body rather quickly. Most dogs are raising their heads about the time they arrive at home. Complete recovery from anesthetic may take 2-6 hours, depending on the mother's physical condition at the time of surgery and her age.

During the recovery period, she must be restrained in such a way that she does not fall and hurt herself or roll over and crush her puppies. The puppies should not be left alone with her until she is completely awake and coordinated.

The mother should be interested in eating within a few hours after she is completely awake. Allow her to eat and drink all that she wants, being careful that she does not overload her stomach. This can result in vomiting. Her food intake at this time should be about 1½ times her food intake before she became pregnant. By the third or fourth week of nursing, her food intake may be 2 to 2½ times normal.

The mother's temperature may rise 1º-2ºF above normal for the first 1-3 days after delivery, then it should return to the normal range. The normal range is 100º-102ºF (37.8º-38.9ºC). Your dog should not be given aspirin because it may aggravate bleeding. Acetaminophen is appropriate at a dose of 325 mg (one regular strength tablet) per 50 pounds. If the mother's temperature goes above 104ºF (40ºC), she and her litter should be examined as soon as possible by a veterinarian for the presence of serious complications.

When should the puppies begin to nurse?

The puppies should be ready to nurse as soon as you arrive at home. Although the mother will not be awake enough to handle the nursing alone, it is still possible for you to assist the process by making her lie still so the puppies can nurse.

If the mother does not have any milk at first, you may supplement the puppies for the first day or two. There are several good commercial canine milk replacers available. Nursing bottles are available, made in the appropriate size for tiny mouths. The following formula may be used for a day or two if the other products are not available:

1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon corn oil + 1 pinch of salt + 3 egg yolks (no whites). Blend together until uniform. It should be fed at the rate of l oz per 1/4 lb (1/8 kg) of puppy weight PER 24 HOURS. That amount should be divided into 3-5 feedings. The average newborn, small breed puppy weighs 1/4 lb (1/8 kg) at birth.

Additional Puppy Links:

Breeding Dogs and Raising Puppies
Orphaned Puppies
Play Biting and Mouthing
Recommendations for New Guardians

Page URL: http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/cesarean.html

Resource References:
Much, much appreciation to Dr. Raymond Van Lienden, DVM of Clifton, VA USA for his extensive research in locating the material found on this page. Thank you, dear Doctor!

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