Emotional Video of Dog Mom Comforting Pregnant Border Collie Leaves Internet Sobbing
We can all agree that there are times our furry friends need us more than ever. Most of us have witnessed our canine family members step into the role of comforting guardians when we need some extra TLC, so the least we can do is to also be there for them when they need us.
This is exactly what one owner did when her pregnant foster dog — a lovely Border Collie named Daffodil — sought emotional support from her when she was experiencing contractions. In a video shared to TikTok by the dog’s owner, @rachelfusaro, a visibly anxious Daffodil can be seen stretching out her paw as Rachel reassuringly pets her while offering words of comfort.
A text layered over the clip reads: “Your *very* pregnant foster dog is starting contractions & you’re doing everything you can to comfort her.”
Rachel also revealed that all Daffodil wanted was “tummy rubs and snuggles,” which she offered without hesitation. Truly, it’s the simple things that can mean the world to a pregnant pup.
Watch the touching video below:
@rachelfusaro When she did *this* I about lost it 😭 If you’ve been following along, you know Daffodil 🌼 just gave birth but I took this video hours before she delivered her first puppy… She started having contractions and ALL she wanted was tummy rubs and snuggles – of course I obliged🥹 I’ll be sharing her full birth story soon but in this moment, we had no idea what was about to come… her birth was an adventure & even more her postpartum journey has been… challenging to say the least But she’s got this. She’s doing a little better each day, and her puppies are really growing nicely When I brought her home from the shelter to foster her, I had no idea how much she’d impact my life in just 72 hours… And we’re so thankful for you following her story Daffodil is really as sweet as she looks. She asks for so little yet gives so much 💜🌼 To see how I nurse her back to health & train her puppies, follow along! #daffodils #fosterdog #shelterdog #rescuedogsofinstagram #bordercollies @Jason Debus Heigl Foundation ♬ what was I made for? – Instrumental – Wheeler
According to Rachel — who volunteers at a local Humane Society — Daffodil was brought to the shelter as a stray while heavily pregnant and underweight.
Sadly, the shelter suspects she may have been used as a breeding dog. Rachel was instantly drawn to Daffodil and couldn’t imagine her giving birth at the shelter, prompting her to offer this sweet-faced pup a foster home. And after enduring hours of contractions, Daffodil eventually gave birth to nine puppies.
Unfortunately, three of the puppies passed away, a classic sign of fading puppy syndrome. The good news is, Daffodil and her remaining puppies are faring well, all thanks to Rachel, who’s committed to providing them the care, nutrition, and pampering they need to stay happy and healthy.
Dog Pregnancy: How Long Are Dogs Pregnant?
According to experts at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, the pregnancy period in dogs — also referred to as the dog gestation period — lasts approximately 63 days. This, however, can vary from dog to dog by a few days.
If you find out your dog is pregnant after a planned mating, you’ll likely want to know their due date. Thankfully, there’s a simple formula to help you estimate your furry friend’s due date, according to Dr. Lindsay Butzer of Clint Moore Animal Hospital: Exact date of mating + 63 days = due date.
Dog Pregnancy Symptoms: Telltale Signs of Pregnancy in Dogs
When your female dog is pregnant, they’ll exhibit a host of symptoms during the course of their pregnancy. More often than not, these signs will be subtle during the first few weeks after your pup becomes pregnant but become obvious as weeks go by:
Some of the early signs of pregnancy in dogs include:
- Decrease in appetite
- Morning sickness (due to hormonal changes)
- Constant tiredness
When your dog clocks around one month into pregnancy, some of the symptoms you can expect to see include:
- Increased appetite
- Decreased activity
- Increased affectionate behavior
- Clear discharge from her vagina
- Nipples become enlarged and pinkish in color
- Noticeable weight gain
- Enlarged abdomen
- Increased urination
- Visible puppy movements in their belly
During the last few days of your dog’s pregnancy, you’ll notice symptoms such as:
- Her waist appears trim (as the unborn puppies start taking the whelping position in the birth canal)
- Milky fluid discharge from her mammary glands
- Increased restlessness
- Lack of appetite
Veterinarians diagnose pregnancy in dogs using different methods, from hormonal tests to abdominal palpitations, x-rays, and ultrasounds. These tests are more accurate if performed when your dog is at least 30 days into her pregnancy.
It’s advisable to engage your vet once you suspect your dog is pregnant, as they’ll advise you on how to properly care for and feed your pregnant pup. In doing so, you’ll enhance your dog’s overall health and well-being throughout pregnancy (and even after birth).
“Pregnant dogs need slightly more attention and the TLC is similar to what pregnant women need and get,” explained Dr. Nisha Patel of Pet Mantra Vet Clinic. “Remember, no vaccines, dewormers, or tick & flea control medication should be given without your vet’s consent. Please visit your vet regularly during this period.”
Signs of Labor in Dogs (& Preparing for Your Dog for Nursing)
When your pregnant dog goes into labor, they’ll display symptoms such as:
- Excessive nesting behavior
- Increased whining due to discomfort caused by uterine contractions
- Shivering due to a drop in body temperature
- Excessive panting and pacing
- Clear to white vaginal discharge
- Loss of appetite
It’s important to remain in touch with your vet during this period. This is because complications can occur, putting your dog and her unborn puppies’ lives at risk. For instance, if your furry friend doesn’t go into labor within 24 hours after her temperature drops, this could lead to complications.
Early preparation is key to ensuring your dog’s comfort before and after delivery. It’s important to create a warm, quiet place where she can rest as she prepares to give birth. And before the puppies arrive, ensure you’ve already prepared a spacious whelping box where your dog and her newborns will settle in.
“Create a comfortable and quiet place for the mother to give birth. Be aware of your veterinarian in case you need assistance during labor. Encourage the mother to eat and stay hydrated during labor. Provide a whelping box with clean bedding for the mother and her puppies after birth,” advised user @PoSaP in a Reddit discussion post on what to know before birthing a dog.
Fading Puppy Syndrome: What You Should Know
According to pet expert Dr. Alyssa Barrata-Martin of the University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine South Clinic, fading puppy syndrome is a condition where a puppy born seemingly healthy begins to deteriorate in health within the first few weeks of life and dies.
This condition is often a result of a combination of factors that may affect the puppy, including a difficult birth process, weakened immune systems leading to infections, the risk of hypothermia and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels), living in a poor, unsanitary environment after birth, underlying birth defects, and the lack of proper nourishment and care after birth.
What’s worse is that a nursing dog may shift her focus from the puppies that seem to be “fading,” mostly because her motherly instincts tell her to feed and care for the strongest pups. This can lead to the fading puppies to suffer more.
There are several symptoms of fading puppy syndrome in newborn puppies, among them:
- Puppy not gaining weight compared to the rest of the litter
- Puppy separating themselves from their littermates
- Puppy acting restless
- Persistent crying (and not stopping even when soothed by the mother)
- Puppy not feeding properly
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Shivering due to an alarming drop in body temperature
If you notice any of your dog’s puppies exhibiting symptoms of fading puppy syndrome, it’s best to take them to the vet immediately for diagnosis and life-saving treatment. While this condition isn’t entirely preventable, there are a few precautions you can to reduce its occurrence. These precautions include:
- Ensure your dog and her puppies stay in a clean and warm whelping area throughout
- Constantly monitor each puppy’s weight and speak to your vet in case of any huge weight differences between the puppies.
- Ensure your nursing dog is on a high-quality diet approved by your vet
- Practice proper hygiene when handling the newborn puppies.
Pregnancy in Dogs: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long is a dog pregnant?
Research shows the gestation period in dogs lasts approximately 63 days, but this can vary from dog to dog by a few days.
What is fading puppy syndrome?
As explained earlier, it is a complex condition where a puppy born seemingly healthy deteriorates during the first few weeks of life and dies.
How to treat fading puppy syndrome in dogs at home?
Fading puppy syndrome can’t be treated at home, as it requires veterinary intervention. However, there are precautions you can take to prevent it from occurring, such as ensuring the newborn puppies are in a clean and warm whelping environment.
What are the fading puppy syndrome signs?
Among the common signs include a puppy’s failure to gain weight, persistent crying, and a puppy withdrawing themselves from their littermates.
How long does pregnancy in dogs last?
As discussed earlier, it lasts roughly 63 days, but this can vary from dog to dog by a few days.
What are the pregnancy signs in a dog?
There are several signs of pregnancy in dogs, including enlarged nipples, decreased level of activity, morning sickness, and an increase in affectionate behavior.
