Pregnant Dog Information

A female dog will become pregnant if she is bred while she is in heat. According to PetEducation.com, most dogs do not display any symptoms in the first three weeks of pregnancy, but veternarians can perform a blood test to confirm a pregnancy.

  1. Symptoms

    • Early signs of dog pregnancy include decreased appetite, decreased activity and growth of the nipples. Later in the pregnancy, dogs will begin to eat double or triple the amount they ate before, according to PetEducation.com

    Time Frame

    • A dog will be pregnant for approximately 63 days before giving birth. About 28 days into pregnancy a veterinarian can perform an ultrasound to determine the size of the liter, according to PetEducation.com.

    Delivery

    • According to GuideOfDogs.com, when a dog is preparing to give birth, she will prepare a nest and may appear fatigued or reject food. Licking the vulva indicates that the dog's water has broken and she is about to go into labor. Usually dogs give birth to five to eight puppies per litter.

    Considerations

    • Pregnant dogs who have fleas, ear mites or roundworms can pass these parasites on to their liter. Veterinarians may recommend treating these parasites before the puppies are born, states PetEducation.com.

    Warning

    • According to PetEducation.com, any vaginal discharge during pregnancy could signal an infection or be a sign of a miscarriage. Discharge can also be a sign that the dog has developed Pyometra, which according to MarvisaVet.com is a bacterial infection that will lead to death if left untreated.