Heat
In order to understand dog pregnancy, it is important to know how your dog’s bodywork. Before your young female is able to get pregnant, she will experience a heat cycle. It is advisable to follow veterinarian’s advice and avoid breeding her during her first heat or before the dog is 1 year old. If you breed your dog too early, it will have a negative impact on her growth.
Usually, dogs go into heat twice a year but occasionally, they may skip one. The heat cycle will last for 3 weeks and it will arrive every 6 to 9 months. During heat, she can breed with more than one dog.
The first signs your dog is in heat are a swollen vulva and bloody discharge. In this phase of the heat cycle, eggs are not released yet. Although males will be strongly attracted to her she will show no big interest until this stage (which lasts between 6-11 days) is over.
The fertile time comes in the second stage of heat, which usually lasts between 5 to 9 days but in some cases, it can last as long as 20 days. She will change her posture to adapt to procreation. The bleeding will transform from light pink to a light brown color. The swollenness of her vulva will not disappear but it becomes softer. After this stage is over, she will not seek the attention of male dogs anymore.
Pregnancy
Some of the first things you recognize when your dog is pregnant are a decreased appetite, a diminished level of activity, nipple growth and changes in her behavior. Her decreased appetite is like human’s morning sickness, while hormonal changes related to pregnancy are the main cause for behavioral alteration.
Pregnancy will last between 60-64 days and during this period, the tissue and glands under her nipples will expand to make room for her baby’s milk. Following the first few weeks of pregnancy, she will start eating again and will start to gain weight quickly. Her abdomen will harden and will become thicker.
During the last week of pregnancy, it will be possible to feel the puppies; movement, as at this stage, the babies are getting into position for birth. You may even notice that milk is leaking from her nipples just before she goes into labor.
It is important that you help accommodate her for this moment with a whelping box. If you don’t prepare her with an appropriate location, she may take over the couch or a closet in search of her own nest.
Choose a location that suits her nesting needs and where she will comfortable. Old blankets or towels can help create a soft environment for the babies’ arrival.
Giving Birth
When the moment to give birth is getting close, take your dog’s temperature periodically. Normally, it should be 101-102 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it drops between 97-99 degrees and it remains in this range for 2 readings taken after 12 hours, it means that the puppies will be born during the next 24 hours.
There are three main stages of labor. In the first stage, she will get visibly restless and anxious. She will withdraw from any form of attention and will stop eating. Not even her favorite treats will seem to appeal to her. Make sure she goes out to the bathroom as it may be the last chance she has to do it before delivery.
On stage two, her contractions will have started. A green sac of fluid will stick out from her vulva as the head or rear of the babies will start to appear. Keep in mind that for dogs it is normal to be born in both positions. There is no need to be concerned if the puppies seem quiet and with no energy right after birth. Allow her to stand on her own, her maternal instincts will make her open the sac and clean the pups by licking them. She should be able to cut the umbilical cord herself, but of the natural process is taking too long you may help her out. If the sac is not broken during the delivery, it has to be removed immediately. You can rub the puppies gently with a fresh cloth to clean them. Rubbing will also stimulate circulation, prompting them to start crying and moving.
If a puppy gets caught and the mother is struggling, you can help by grabbing the puppy with a clean cloth. Grasp them firmly, with steady movement but do not pull suddenly. If necessary, call your vet for further assistance. The dog will rest for a few hours as her mild contractions start to fade in stage three. If two dogs were delivered within a very short time from each other, her contractions may last a bit longer.
Always call a vet if there is an emergency or if any of the below occurs:
- A puppy is lodged and it is not possible to get them out.
- If your dog’s labor has been going on for 2 hours with no delivery.
- If 4 hours have passed since the last pup was born and no more puppies are being delivered.
- If the delivery doesn’t start even though she had the greenish-black discharge that normally appears at the beginning of the birth.
- If her pregnancy has passed the 65 days and if the dog is vomiting or painting.
Caring about the puppies
Check the mother’s nipples periodically to make sure that there is no infection and gently clean them with a warm damp cloth. Carefully clip the puppies; nails so that they don’t irritate their mother's skin.
Due to changes on her eating habits and the residues she ate while cleaning the puppies, the new mother may pass soft stool for a few days. It is also normal that she eats her puppies’ feces at the beginning. Vaginal discharge with passing blood clots should last no longer than a week. If it continues, consult with your vet.
In normal circumstances, your dog will take care of the puppies herself and there is not much assistance that you can offer. In fact, she may even be territorial and overprotective with her babies at first. She will eventually calm down.
The puppies will start nursing after 2-4 hours of being born. Puppies need a comfortable room temperature but avoid placing heating appliances in the room.
Their eyes open after 10-14 days and they should be taken to the vet when they turn 3 weeks old for routine de-worming and a checkup. At 3-4 weeks of age, they need to start the weaning process. Gradually cut their milk intake gradually and substitute the rest of their diet with watered down puppy food and milk formula. Ideally, they will start taking solid food but if they don’t, do not deprive them of their mother’s milk until they are able to eat solids.
The puppies need to be cleaned every day. Keep an eye on their feeding habits and weight gain to follow up on any extra nutrition needs. Small puppies should only be fed milk replacer as a nutritional boost. It would be a good idea to separate them at feeding time in order to give them an equal chance of getting a full diet. Be extra careful at getting rid of fleas because a flea infestation could have devastating effects as they could drain the blood of small pups. After they have reached 6-8 weeks, they are able to be adopted out. For more information visit petdogplanet