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Pregnancy in a female dog lasts nine weeks.
We determine the birthing date from the date of the first mating.
Some bitches will whelp (deliver their puppies) anywhere from day 59 to day 63.
As the owner, you will make no changes to her diet for the first 5 weeks.
Often, in the 3rd week after mating, she will go off her food for about 10 days.
You will notice that her vulva - the area around her vagina, did not return to the normal small size it was before mating, but looks rather enlarged.
There is normally no discharge during a pregnancy.
If you do see a discharge, then take her to the Veterinarian.
She may have an infection, or be losing the litter, or have developed a case of Pyometra, which, if left untreated, can kill her.
She needs a good exercise program, which involves a daily run to make sure all her muscles, including her uterine muscles, are in top condition.
She also needs a very high quality diet.
This is not the time to scrimp on her feeding formula.
Mother Nature tries to insure the survival of the species, so if the diet is lacking in any ingredient ,calcium or zinc for example, the developing puppies ( whelps) will take from the mother's body what they need to grow healthy, and therefore her body will become depleted.
DO NOT ADD ANY VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS IN THE FIRST MONTH OF PREGNANCY.
BIRTH DEFECTS WILL DEVELOP FROM TOO MUCH VITAMINS A & D.
DO NOT GIVE ANY MEDICINE NOW EITHER WITHOUT THE EXPRESS ORDER OF THE VETERINARIAN.
At week 5, her nipples will become deep pink in colour, and you may notice that she is thicker around the waist and broader around the rib cage.
Now you should increase her feeding by 25%.
Give her a daily Vitamin supplement from your Veterinarian
At week 6, increase her feeding again by 25% and divide her feedings into 2 meals a day.
You will notice that she is sleeping a little more now.
At week 7, increase her meal amount again by 25%.
Begin making preparations for the arrival of the puppies.
Build a whelping box for her and put it in a quiet room where she will be undisturbed by other pets and people and in an area that is easy to keep warm.
If you are putting the whelping box in a basement, then buy heavy weight plastic drop cloths, to hang 'walls' from the ceiling or beams to keep the heat inside the whelping box area.
Decide how you will heat the area where the new puppies will be.
It needs to be about 85 degrees until they are 3 weeks old.
A baseboard heater will do the job, as long as the dog cannot get near the electical cord or get burned by the heater.
You'll need to have it out of reach.
You will need reams of newspapers for the puppy box.
At week 8, increase the feed again by 25%. She is now eating double her normal amount.
Begin feeding her 3 times a day now and make the exercise time shorter, but more frequent.
Walking will be very tiring for her and she is very uncomfortable through the last week of the pregnancy.
Begin taking her temperature rectally twice a day.
The normal dog temperature is about 100.3F - 101.3F.
It will normally drop to about 98. degrees F 8 - 24 hours before the onset of labour and she will refuse to eat or drink anything.
NEVER EXPECT YOUR DOG TO DELIVER A LITTER BY HERSELF.
Although animal whelping is a 'natural event' this does not mean that the animal does not get into serious trouble if left unattended.
Mother and puppies frequently die because the owner thoughtlessly left her alone during this crucial time.
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Where did dogs first start showing?
Dogs will start to show during their first month of pregnancy. Dogs will often nest when they are close to their due date. Watching the dog's behavior is key.
When do dogs start producing milk?
at what stage of a dogs pregnancy do they start producing milk
When will my dog show she is pregnant?
Dogs typically start to show signs of pregnancy around 3-4 weeks after mating. Look for signs such as changes in appetite, nesting behavior, weight gain, and enlarged nipples. It's best to consult with a veterinarian for confirmation and guidance throughout the pregnancy.
What are th signs of malnutrition in dogs?
what are the signs of malnutrition in dogs
Why is your 9 month old German shepherd puppy showing signs of being pregnant?
Well, she could be pregnant. Most dogs start going into heat at six months. If your dog is spayed then it must be something else, duh. Does your dog get out of your yard occasionally or do male dogs come into your yard. If so then i hate to break it to you but dogs can get pregnant that early, it doesn't mean they should though.
How long before a dog shows she is pregnant after mating?
It typically takes around four to six weeks after mating for a dog to show signs of pregnancy. These signs may include changes in appetite, weight gain, enlarged nipples, and behavioral changes. To confirm pregnancy, a veterinarian can perform an ultrasound or blood test.
Do dogs go through a depression after a false pregnancy?
Yes, some dogs can and will go through a depression after a false pregnancy. These dogs have even been known to take puppies from other dogs.
Can you buy a pregnancy test for a dog?
No, pregnancy tests for dogs are typically performed by a veterinarian using specific diagnostic methods such as ultrasound or blood tests. It's best to consult a vet for accurate pregnancy testing for dogs.
Will pregnancy tests work for dogs?
no it will not
What are the signs your puppy has to pee?
the dogs will start sniffing, going towards a door, and going to another room
What symptoms do dogs get when they have a phantom pregnancy?
The only difference between a phantom pregnancy and a real pregnancy is that with a phantom pregnancy you are not actually carrying a baby and you will usually have a period and a negative pregnancy test. You will have the same symptoms as a regular pregnancy and they can last at least as long as 7 months.Scroll down to related links and look at "False pregnancy - Wikipedia"
If your dogs stomach is starting to hang low and he nipples are more pronounced is that signs of being pregnant also she is showing a more loving and lazy side latelybut how do you be sure?
To be sure, take the dog to a vet.
