actions regarding the information on this web site. I am not a Veterinarian, nor do I portray myself to be one, so if you have medical questions please call your Vet first and foremost. MATING / BRINGING NEW LIFE SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY! EACH NEW LIFE YOU BRING IN TO THIS WORLD IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY UNTIL DEATH DUE YOU PART. Oops, shes pregnant happens so many times. If you are not ready to take on this responsibility, please have your babies spayed or neutered. YOUR FEMALE MAY GO INTO HEAT AS EARLY AS SIX MONTHS OLD. BREEDING TIMES The most commonly used breeding dates are the 9th, 11th, and 13th days from the first vaginal discharge. The Tie That Binds So, when do you bring the male/sire to her/dam for breeding? Do not wait until the tenth day; bring the male to her a few days ahead of time because if she's ready you better breed her now! She will let you know if your timing is right by her willingness or unwillingness to stand for the male. If she's ready, regardless of what number day it is, she will crook her tail off to one side, stand in front of the male, and even back into the male. Just because we think she should breed on a certain day has no influence on her hormonal levels. Anestrus: R & R between heats. Proestrus: Onset of heat and discharge. The first phase of the cycle is called “Proestrus” and is characterized by a swollen vulva, a bloody vaginal discharge, attraction of male dogs. She flirts with the male but will not allow him to mount. The bloody vaginal discharge is what seems to lead to the misconception that the dog is menstruating. In fact, the blood comes directly from the walls of the vagina rather than the sloughing of the uterine lining as occurs in menstruation. Estrus: The female accepts, invites, coitus with the male. The estrus perfume can invite males up to 3 miles away. “Estrus” which is characterized by the change in character of the vaginal discharge from bloody to “straw colored.” At this time the female begins to allow the male to mount. It is classically the change from proestrus to estrus that ovulation occurs and the female is most fertile. Metestrus: or diestrus the stage that readies the uterus for pregnancy. Mid cycle is best for conception. The dam ovulates over several days. The eggs are viable for two days, while the sperm live up to four days. After the mating and the discharge is over, the period of Diestrus begins. The female is hormonally pregnant regardless of whether or not she is actually pregnant. The pups are usually ready to enter our world sixty-three days after conception, although small breeds often have shorter gestation periods of only fifty-nine or sixty days. It is best to count days starting from the last known breeding since many bitches will allow breeding to occur for two to four days in a row. Mating in Dogs General Information: Average heat runs 21 days. Some females must be followed with a mop, while other females must be tested by a flashlight. Female dogs generally have 2 reproductive cycles each year. This process begins at puberty. Small breeds may start their cycles at 5-6 months of age, while some giant breeds may not cycle until 2 years of age. The average age of puberty is 7-10 months. After 4-9 days of bloody vaginal discharge, the female will accept the male and stand for breeding. This receptive stage may last a few days or as long as 2 weeks. The most commonly used breeding dates are the 9th, 11th, and 13th days from the first vaginal discharge. Repeated breedings, 48 hours apart, as long as the female accepts the male, produce the best conception rate. Wait until the second or third heat to breed your female. Since pregnancy represents a considerable strain on the mother, females should not be bred every "season." Acceptable breeding programs include breeding every other heat or breeding during two consecutive and skipping the third. Let me tell you, it is hard to keep them separated when she is in heat. This is not an easy task. We need to ask ourselves if we are prepared to take responsibilities for the pups we breed and to be constantly aware for the need for breeding soundness, and try to avoid breeding in any destructive characteristics. You will be able to find good homes for you pups, however should someone want to return their pup it is yours. It is your responsibility to find someone who will love and nurture the pup for the rest of its life. |
DOG GESTATION Is She Pregnant? Common Indicators: Nipple Enlargement Increased Appetite Personality Changes Slightly Enlarged Vulva Morning Sickness NOW NO ONE IS SURE THE FIRST 3 WEEKS, IT IS A GUESSING GAME? THE ANSWER IS MOST LIKELY......YES~ Gestation normally lasts 9 weeks (63 days). However, puppies may be delivered between 58 and 68 days. Gestation General Information: Gestation is the period when the young are developing in the mother’s uterus. In dogs, gestation normally lasts 9 weeks (63 days). However, puppies may be delivered between 58 and 68 days. The earliest possible time of diagnosis may be 26-35 days after breeding, when the veterinarian may be able to detect pregnancy by feeling the abdomen. Diagnosis by radiographs (x-rays) is usually possible after 45 days. During the first 5 weeks of pregnancy, there are few noticeable changes. After the fifth week, you may notice weight gain especially with large litters. If only 1 or 2 puppies are present, the mother may gain little weight until shortly before birth. Abdominal enlargement is generally obvious in the last 3 weeks. The mammary glands may begin to enlarge as early as the 35th day, but usually development is not obvious until 45 days. Milk may be present as early as 7-9 days before delivery, but it is usually not produced until 1-2 days before delivery. During pregnancy, the female dog may show a change in behavior, especially in the last few weeks. As the uterus enlarges with the developing puppies, your dog may become restless, seek seclusion and in the last few days, soil the house. She may shred papers, blankets, or bedding in an attempt at "nest building" in the last few weeks. During the last 2 weeks, your dog may become irritable and should avoid contact with small children. The mother's food consumption will often reach 1 1/2 times her level before pregnancy. By the end of the nursing period, it may exceed two times the pre-pregnancy amount. Do not withhold food; increasing the number of feedings per day is helpful in allowing her to eat enough for her needs and those of the puppies. |
PUPPY FETAL DEVELOPMENT FETAL DEVELOPMENT BY THE WEEK Now that we know when your pooch can get pregnant, days 10 -14 of heat, and you understand the meaning of gestation. Count 63 days from the day of the great connection and that is when your puppies are due. Females are sexually receptive (in heat or estrus) for 17 to 21 days. Failure to return to estrus after a successful breeding is often the earliest indication of pregnancy. It wouldn't hurt to add a hard boiled egg to the female's diet. What is going on inside of the female? Week One (Days 1-7) DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES Fertilization occurs 2 cell embryos are in the oviduct The embryo is fairly resistant to external interference in development CHANGES IN THE MOMMY Possible morning sickness Possible personality changes CARE OF THE MOMMY Normal feeding Check any and all medications with vet prior to administering No insecticides (i.e., flea treatments) No live vaccines TO DO LIST Put together pedigree on litter Write contract Contact AKC for litter registration application Start taking puppy reservations Week Two (Days 8-14) DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES Embryo will be 4 cell at start of week and 64 cell by end of week embryo enters the uterus CHANGES IN THE MOMMY Possible morning sickness Sympathy morning sickness in the males sometimes CARE OF THE MOMMY Continue as with Week One TO DO LIST Nothing special this week Week Three (Days 15-21) DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES Day 19 -- Implantation of embryos in uterus CHANGES IN THE MOMMY See above CARE OF THE MOMMY See above TO DO LIST Nothing Special this week Week Four (Days 22-28) DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES Development of eyes and spinal cords Faces take shape Fetuses grow from 5-10 mm to 14-15 mm Organogenesis begins-- Embryos are at their most susceptible to defects Days 26 - 32 are the best days to palpitate (i.e.. feel for the puppies) CHANGES IN THE MOMMY Possible clear vaginal discharge Mammary development begins CARE OF THE MOMMY After Day 26, palpitation may be possible to diagnose pregnancy Limit strenuous activity (such as working, jumping, long runs) Add 1/4 cup cottage cheese or a hard boiled egg to food on alternating days Remember no jumping. TO DO LIST Schedule ultrasound or palpitation with vet if desired. Week Five (Days 29-35) DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES: Development of toes, whisker buds, and claws Fetuses look like dogs Gender can be determined Eyes (previously open) now close Fetuses grow from 18 mm - 30 mm Organogenesis ends -- embryos are now fairly resistant to interference with development CHANGES IN THE MOMMY: Swelling becomes noticeable Loss of "tuck-up" Weight will start to increase CARE OF THE MOMMY: Slightly increase amount of food and switch to puppy kibble. If you feed one meal a day, add a small extra meal. If you feed twice a day, slightly increase one of the meals. Add daily multi-vitamin for dogs Palpitation no longer possible due to fluids in uterus. TO DO LIST: Nothing special this week or invest in maternity dresses. Week Six (Days 36-42) DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES Development of skin pigment Fetuses should weigh around 6 grams and be 45 mm long Fetal heartbeats can be heard with stethoscope CHANGES IN THE MOMMY Nipples darken and enlarge Abdomen continues to enlarge CARE OF THE MOMMY Add cottage cheese or hard boiled egg to food daily Increase the amount of food in the extra meal Mommy should start sleeping in whelping box TO DO LIST: Assemble whelping box By this time you should be fairly sure that the mommy is pregnant. Notify the people on your puppy list. Let them know when you expect delivery. Week Seven (Days 43- 49) DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES Growth and development continue CHANGES IN THE MOMMY Abdomen hair will start shedding The mommy will start to look pregnant at this point CARE OF THE MOMMY Slightly increase both meals TO DO LIST Stop any roughhousing or jumping Radiographs (X-rays) possible to determine number and size of puppies Week Eight (Days 50-57) DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES Fetal movement can be detected when mommy is at rest Puppies can safely be born from now on. CHANGES IN THE MOMMY Milk may be squeezed from nipples The mommy will be very large. CARE OF THE MOMMY Add moderate lunch TO DO LIST Gather whelping kit (see below) Prepare phone list for help/support. It should include your vet's phone number, the emergency clinic's phone number, the number of any friends who will be offering support during whelping, and anyone else you might need to contact before, during, or after whelping (like your office to let them know you won't be in!) Make sure your car is gassed up and ready for a possible emergency trip to the vet's office. Week Nine (Days 58-65) DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES Growth and Development continues. You can watch the puppies move and kick! CHANGES IN THE MOMMY Nesting behavior may be seen Mommy may become distressed (panting, pacing, acting uncomfortable) Appetite may disappear as whelping approaches CARE OF THE MOMMY Keep close eye on her |
DOG LABOR STAGES EXHAUSTING BUT REWARDING Restless, Nesting, Panting, Vomiting, and Crying during each contraction. LABOR CAN LAST 4 - 24 HOURS Now that we did all of our homework and fed mommy appropriately with plenty of protein, the puppies grew and grew and grew! The first sign that the new puppy-family is on the way usually is signaled by the bitch's lack of interest in food about twenty-four hours before whelping. Then you may notice she will lick at her vulva and have slight abdominal cramping. Then the abdominal contractions become more frequent...about every half hour. All of a sudden you may notice a shiny, grayish sac drooping through the vulva; it looks like a gray water balloon. The bitch may walk around with this hanging out and will often open the "water sac" and a clear fluid will run out. The pup's on the way! In most cases the pup will be delivered within an hour of this sac being presented for your viewing pleasure since now the pup is surely in the pelvic canal. The first pup often is the most difficult for the bitch to pass, and she may strain quite hard and even moan a bit. After the pups were born, Momma may not want you to leave her side. From the first contraction until the puppies are born is not as fast as one would think. Although, all dogs are different. She may become uncomfortable one night, then recognizably restless by the next morning. Start recording the time, length and durations of contractions. As the contractions got closer and closer, she may became restless, nesting, panting, vomiting, and crying during each contraction. It is a possibility that she might have to rush to the vet. CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN IF: 30-60 minutes of strong contractions occur with no puppy being produced. Greater than four hours pass between pups and you know there are more inside. She is in obvious extreme pain. Greater than 70 days of gestation have passed. Stages of Labor Stage I Cervix dilates. Pups begin to move into position for delivery (six to 24 hours). Your dog will pant, shiver and act restless. She may vomit, and her belly may begin to droop. She may be fearful and need your reassurance. Stage II (The actual birthing process) Your dog may lie on her side in her whelping box or other chosen area, or she may remain standing. She'll whine or groan as the contractions become more severe and frequent. Reassure her with kind words and a gentle hand (but make sure that only one or two people are with her during this time so she won't feel disturbed). It is a good idea to have a helper available. This process will last anywhere from six to eight hours for a typical litter of four to six puppies, but a larger litter can take much longer. The amniotic sac begins to emerge from her vagina Her "water" breaks and a straw-colored liquid emerges — one pup should come out within minutes. The mother will tear the protective amniotic wrapping and eat it. While she licks her puppy clean and helps to stimulate his breathing and blood flow, she'll chew and eat the umbilical cord. The next pup will emerge in the same way, anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours later Stage III (The afterbirth delivery) One placenta is expelled after the birth of each puppy, and the new mother will usually eat some or all of it. While your dog rests between pups, make sure that the newborns have access to the nutritive and antibody-containing colostrum that her nipples produce at this point. While she's giving birth, move the pups to a warm part of the whelping box, or place them in a box heated to 85 degrees F (29.4 degrees C) with a hot water bottle. Hypothermia (low body temperature) or cold temperature shock is a leading cause of death in newborn puppies.
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