Information on Dog Pregnancy

Time Frame

• The gestational period for dogs is 63 days, though it is normal for that to vary by a couple of days for some dogs. If the dog was bred intentionally it is much easier to determine a due date for the litter, but many dog pregnancies are unintentional, making due dates less than an exact science.

Symptoms

• When a pregnancy is suspected, information on dog pregnancy symptoms is valuable. There may be no obvious physical or temperament changes in the dog during the first few weeks of pregnancy, but some dogs become more affectionate toward their owners and the size of their nipples may increase. By the fourth and fifth week of pregnancy, most dogs begin to produce a clear vaginal mucus that is easy to notice when looking for pregnancy symptoms. In order to advise pet owners and give them more information on dog pregnancy, veterinarians normally perform a blood test on dogs suspected of being pregnant starting at four weeks gestation. At this point veterinarians may also do an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy, hear puppy heartbeats, and determine how many puppies are in the litter.

Features

• Once a pregnancy is suspected, a veterinarian will provide information on dog pregnancy care and puppy development. Pregnant dogs do not require much special treatment during the course of their pregnancy, but there are some guidelines that should be followed in order to support a healthy, full-term pregnancy. For the first three weeks of the dog pregnancy, the mother should be on a diet of premium adult dog food, but beginning at four weeks she should begin receiving premium puppy food as part of her meals. Gradually the adult food should be traded out for the puppy food until by the final week of pregnancy the mother is eating only puppy food. Information on dog pregnancy and studies show that mother dogs need the extra fat and nourishment that is provided by puppy food to help her and her puppies to meet the recommended daily nutrition intakes.
  Pregnant dogs may also prefer to eat several small meals a day instead of one or two large ones to reduce the likelihood of indigestion as the puppies grow and take up more space. While strenuous exercise for the mother is not advised during dog pregnancy, regular walking is recommended to keep the mother healthy and strong.

Considerations

• Some of the most important information on dog pregnancy that an owner can receive are instructions on how to prepare a whelping box for their dog's labor and delivery. A whelping box does not need to be large, but it should provide ample room for the mother to lay in during labor and with her new puppies. The sides of the whelping box should be 6 to 8 inches high so that the new puppies cannot get out. The whelping box should be placed in a spot that the mother is familiar with and that is set off from other household activity.

Effects

• Most owners are anxious to receive information about their role in dog pregnancy and puppy birth. Aside from changes in diet, providing regular exercise, and making a whelping box, there is usually little that an owner needs to do to assist their dog in her pregnancy and delivery.

  The first stage of puppy birth begins with the onset of the initial labor contractions. During this stage the mother appears agitated and restless, often panting, pacing and refusing to eat. This first stage of puppy birth can last anywhere from six hours to a full day. Hard contractions and the actual delivery occur during the second stage of puppy birth. The puppies are covered in a sac that the mother will usually remove right away, along with the attached umbilical cord. After the puppy is cleaned the mother often rests and expels the afterbirth for that puppy. On average, there is a 45-minute to one-hour gap between the birth of each puppy. Owners should monitor the delivery to ensure that the mother dog cleans her puppies adequately and in case they are needed to assist the mother in delivering a puppy that is lodged in the birth canal.