Symptoms of a pregnant dog
You may have doubts about a possible pregnancy, because fertilization does not occur whenever there is copulation, for that reason, it will be important to learn to recognize the symptoms of pregnancy in a dog.But, How do you know if a dog is pregnant? The truth is that during the pregnancy of a dog there are some obvious symptoms that indicate that the gestation process has begun.
It is important to note that the symptoms of pregnancy of a Maltese bichon or the symptoms of pregnancy of a yorkshire terrier dog will be the same, however, the symptoms of a one month pregnant bitch or the symptoms of a pregnant bitch about to give birth if they are different./p>
The symptoms of a pregnant bitch are:
- Cycle : bitches usually experience heat twice at anus, which usually varies between 4 and 13 months, however, this is not a reliable indicator, since hormonal changes they can alter it greatly.It would be highly recommended to pay attention to other symptoms.delutero that could confirm the state of prenez.
- State of the nipples : it is probably the most obvious symptom of prenez, since during pregnancy the dog's nipples increase their size and become a more intense color.
- Vaginal discharge : changes in the vaginal discharge of the pregnant bitch are also frequent.We can observe white or transparent vaginal discharges, never with blood, black or green.
- Behavior : the behavior is an unreliable indicator to confirm the pregnancy of the dog, but it is an aspect that we cannot ignore It may happen that it is abnormally active or, on the contrary, much more apathetic.He usually rejects contact with other dogs, especially males, and that his attitude towards us becomes more affectionate or more arisca.Also the search for the "nest" occurs, is then when the dog looks for shady and comfortable places to take refuge and have there her litter.
- Vomits : around 35 days of gestation, when the turn and withdrawal of the uterus occurs, the dog can experience certain annoying ones that include vomiting.
- Feeding : Feeding is a fundamental aspect in the pregnancy of the dog, but although most increase their appetite, some completely reject their usual diet.In the care section we will pay a lot Attention to this very important aspect.
If your dog shows some or several of these symptoms, it is probably because she is indeed pregnant and the arrival of the puppies is only a matter of time However, how can we know if a dog Are you pregnant with certainty? We will explain it to you below.
How can we confirm a bitch's pregnancy?
There is currently no "pregnancy test in dogs" that can confirm the pregnancy with a urine sample, therefore, to confirm the pregnancy of the dog it will be very advisable to go to our veterinarian of confidence, who will tell us if you are actually pregnant or if instead it is a psychological pregnancy.
Performing veterinary tests is not only important to confirm the pregnancy, it is also essential for ensure that the puppies are alive or that the mother enjoys a good state of health.Next we explain different pregnancy tests in the dog that you can perform in a veterinary clinic or hospital:
- Palpation : This test requires some skill and is probably the most economical method.It is important to note that it is not 100% reliable and that it will not reveal any health problems in the mother or in the Puppies can be done 30 days later of the mountain.
- Blood test : the presence of a hormone called "relaxin" can confirm the pregnancy of the dog after 30 or 35 days of gestation.test does not reveal the number of puppies, but if you can give us information about the health status of the parent.
- X-ray : X-ray tests can be done after 45 days of gestation, no However, it is recommended to carry it out during the last third of pregnancy, when the risk that it entails for puppies is minimal.Through an x-ray we can know the number of puppies and possible malformations that they experience.
- Ultrasound : This is the most common and recommended test during the pregnancy of the dog, since it indicates the number of puppies and also confirms that they are alive.It can be done after 25 or 35 days , but if it is not done in an exhaustive way, one of the puppies can be overlooked.
How to know how many weeks of pregnancy my dog has?
 Your dog is pregnant but you don't know how many weeks it is? Do not worry, after performing the tests mentioned above the veterinarian will be able to determine in a roughly approximate manner in which week of the pregnancy the dog is in.This will help us in providing the necessary care in This very sensitive stage.
Psychological pregnancy in dogs
Although we have observed all the symptoms mentioned above, it can happen that our veterinarian will surprise us with an unexpected diagnosis: a psychological pregnancy.
Psychological pregnancy in female dogs is a fairly common problem in non-sterilized female dogs and can occur after a failed ride or for no reason.It is mainly due to a hormonal mismatch and can get to represent a health problem for our dog, who will experience changes in behavior and milk production, which can lead to a breast infection if not treated properly.In some cases pregnancy Psychological may also require the prescription of drugs and, in the case of being persistent, the veterinarian may even recommend castration of the dog.
How long is a bitch's pregnancy?
The pregnancy of the dog has an duration of approximately 65 days , although it can be variable according to the size, the experience of the parent or other factors, so predict exactly The time of delivery is a rather complicated task, even for the most experienced veterinarians.
In some cases, bitches may end the gestation period between 58 or 63 days, but in other cases it may be delayed until 68 and even 70 days.There are some factors that influence the gestation time, such as litter size .Generally, dogs that expect few puppies usually have their birth before, while who expect a higher number of puppies tend to lengthen it.
When do puppies notice?
Around the third week of pregnancy, through palpation , our veterinarian will be able to confirm the pregnancy and the presence of embryos in the uterus.Already in the eighth week, we ourselves We can make gentle palpations in the abdomen of our dog, since the fetal movements will be very evident.Then we can notice the little ones and even feel that they move.
It is important act calmly and perform this procedure only occasionally, to prevent the dog from feeling anxious when being manipulated constantly.It is important to know some of the 10 signs of stress in the dog to warn if we are being too insistent.
Remember that anxiety and stress have a direct impact on the mother and the puppies, negatively affecting their health and development.In addition, suffering from very severe conditions during this stage can cause that the puppies born with a predisposition to chronic stress and suffering from behavioral problems.
The pregnancy of the bitch week by week
Once confirmed the pregnancy of the dog, her state of health and resolved some curiosities, it is time to talk about the pregnancy of the dog week by week.What can we observe in a pregnant dog of a month? What are the most common symptoms? frequent in each week? How will a 50-day pregnant bitch behave?
Here we show you how the development of pregnancy in a dog week by week, but do not forget that the confirmation of all the mentioned symptoms does not exempt you from going to the veterinarian to ensure that everything is going well and that, indeed, the pregnancy is developing as it should.
Stages of pregnancy of a bitch
Next we will detail in more detail how are the stages of a dog's pregnancy, week by week:
- Fertilization : the copulation between Two dogs are carried out before ovulation and have an approximate duration of between 15 or 25 minutes at the most.During the ride, the male ejaculates up to twice.Then, the dogs remain stuck until the male performs a third ejaculation of sperm in the vagina of the female.Finally, decompression of the large bulb occurs and they separate.spues of the copula, the semen of the dog moves, waiting for the ovulation of the dog so that the fertilization of the eggs occurs.
- First week (0-7 days) : once the eggs have been fertilized, they begin to divide into a process called "meiosis." During the first week of pregnancy we will not observe any obvious symptoms of pregnancy, since the cells are dividing and gestation has begun in elutero.
- Second week (8-14 days) : at this stage the female sex cells continue to divide and, as in the previous week, we will not be able to notice any noticeable change, regardless of some unusual behavior changes.
- Third week (15-21 days) : by the third week the fertilized and divided eggs are implanted in the dog's elutero, causing bulges of between 0.8 and 1 cm.These "lumps" will become puppies and, in fact, they could already be observed small s figures.At this moment we can go to our veterinarian to perform a blood test and ensure the good health of the parent.
- Fourth week (22-28 days) : The embryos are already developing, very slowly, inside the dog.In this week they already measure between 2 and 3 centimeters, being able to perform abdominal palpation, and some of the symptoms mentioned above are also observed, such as the increase of breast size or vaginal discharges.Puppies already have a backbone.
- Fifth week (29-35 days) : by the fifth week the embryos have increased their size , which is located around 5 centimeters, and they begin to develop much faster.It is time to start paying close attention to feeding and other care of the parent, therefore, we recommend going to the veterinarian to receive some advice and perform the first ultrasound.
- Sixth week (36-42 days) : towards the sixth week is when the bone qualification begins to be carried out, allowing an X-ray to be carried out that indicates the exact number of puppies that are on the way.It is possible to listen to them through auscultation.The embryos already exceed 6 or 7 centimeters and, because of this, the dog's abdomen is getting bigger and bigger.It's time to prepare our parent's nest and continue paying attention to their care.
- Seventh week (43-49 days) : by the seventh week the puppies have already reached the size they will have at the time of delivery and we will observe that the breasts already have milk.Also it is possible that the dog begins to reduce food intake.It is highly recommended to do the x-ray this week, since we can more easily anticipate some possible problems of childbirth.
- Eighth week (50-57 days) : at this time the condition The nest takes on greater importance, since the female will begin to shelter there much more constantly.We must ensure an adequate temperature, as well as leave within reach of food and water.Fetal movements are evident to the touch and the milk will begin to flow naturally.As long as we do not cause unnecessary stress on the dog, we can perform a bath to ensure that the time of delivery is as hygienic as possible.However, if we notice nervousness, we will use a dry wash shampoo.
- Ninth week (58-65 days) : the time of delivery is approaching and the puppies are fully trained and ready to be born.It is important to leave space for the dog, since at this time it will begin to hide in the nest and be slightly altered.You may experience contractions, involuntary urination, vaginal secretions, tremors and vomiting.It is time to have a veterinarian's phone at hand 24-hour emergency service that can move at home if necessary, since some problems of childbirth can be very serious and put the life of the dog and the children at risk.
A Then we will explain in general what are the care in the pregnancies of a bitch, but we will also show you how is the delivery, which are the most frequent postpartum problems and many other curiosities that you can not miss if your dog is pregnant.
Behavior of a pregnant dog
It is essential to pay attention to the behaviors of a pregnant dog, because we must know that stress or anxiety can cause serious effects on the development of puppies, and can also condition the Character of the dogs in their adult stage.Therefore, knowing how the behavior of a pregnant dog will be is key when providing the necessary care and preventing behavioral problems.
We must know that at this stage there is a progressive social isolation , in which the bitch will spend more time being alone in her paridera, especially in the days before the birth.Ideally, try to maintain a normal routine of walks, affection and games, always adapted to its state.
If we observe abundant signs of calm when we interact with it or rejects contact with us, we will allow it, supervising the dog without intervening In no case will we generate more stress or anxiety of the necessary.
It may also happen that the dog gets to show aggressiveness towards other animals and even towards us, through the grunting or marking.unwanted behavior, we must also know that it is common.In no case will we treat or punish it, but we will try to avoid all those behaviors that can cause a bad reaction.In the most serious cases it is advisable to consult with an ethologist or educator canine specialized in behavior modification, but in no case should we apply guidelines without prior knowledge.
Care of a pregnant dog
Pregnant dogs need constant attention and care by their tutors, mainly related to food and comfort.It is always advisable to go to the vet to guide us during this process, since each pregnancy is unique and each parent may need certain special attention to ensure the good health and proper development of the fetuses.
Feeding a pregnant dog
The feeding of a pregnant dog is a fundamental aspect that guarantees the good state of health of the mother and an optimal development of the fetuses.Do not forget that they feed through the placenta, therefore, follow the advice We show you below to ensure that your pregnant dog enjoys the best quality of life and the necessary care:
Until the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy the dog will not start to gain weight in a way remarkable.In this stage of We should feed her as we did before pregnancy, to avoid overweight, which can affect pregnancy very negatively, causing possible problems in childbirth.The dog will continue to enjoy her walks and games as every day.The symptoms of pregnancy do not will take time to arrive.
After 36 or 42 days of gestation is when we must modify the feeding of the dog, always under veterinary prescription, to a I think to puppies or " puppy ".From then on we must increase the feed dose by 5% every week that passes.Remember that you must also feed the puppies that you carry inside.
Especially if you notice abnormalities in the dog's feces or some reluctance at mealtime, you can offer cans of wet food, gastrointestinal feed and even bet on homemade diets, as long as you continue offering the I think for puppies.Stimulating your appetite is essential, as well as hydration, so you should never miss a bowl of fresh, clean water.
In the final phase of pregnancy, the dog has less and less space in your body to house the food.It may be interesting to offer you a smaller amount of food but increase the number of shots, replenishing it constantly so that it continues to feed, however, it is very common for the pregnant dog to stop eating at the days before delivery .
Once the pups are born, we will continue feeding the dog with feed for puppies, but depending on your milk production our veterinarian may recommend a special formula or not.
Here are 6 basic tips for feeding a pregnant dog:
During the first phase of pregnancy the dog should eat as it did before pregnancy.In the case of the appearance of Nausea, divide your shots into several portions.Consult with your veterinarian the option to offer nutritional supplements in the first phase.Avoid overweight and obesity in the pregnant dog.Do not administer any medication to a pregnant dog, consult your veterinarian Call your veterinarian whenever you notice any unusual symptoms.Activities, exercise and other care
During the first weeks of pregnancy the dog will continue to maintain a exercise routine and walks Totally normal.Can a pregnant dog exercise? The answer is yes, but always taking certain precautions.Around the fifth or sixth week we will begin to reduce physical exercise and we will bet on other calmer activities inside the home, while, we will continue doing the walks in a habitual way.
Bathing is also an important factor to keep in mind.Can a pregnant female dog be taken? As we have told you before, it is advisable to do it towards the end of pregnancy, to ensure that the birth is as hygienic as possible during childbirth.
And what about the vaccination and deworming routines of a female dog? pregnant? Not all the products that we find in the market are suitable during the gestation period, however, it is an essential process, since we must ensure that the puppies cannot suffer an infestation as soon as they are born.The most advisable thing will be to go to the veterinarian To detail when the time is right and what products we should use.
Affection and emotional care are also essential.Do not forget to spend time with your dog, as long as she allows you to, to ensure that her emotional state is positive and stable , which will ensure a good development of pregnancy the absence of behavioral problems.
Nest or paridera for dogs
In the market you will find some square-shaped structures called "parideras" whose price can vary between 50 and up to 300 euros.They mainly stand out for having cylinders or plates that prevent crushing puppies and usually be well insulated from the outside.
The paridera should be placed in an isolated room , far from the movement of people or other dogs, but also should be accommodated with a mattress or cushion and some blankets.To avoid dirt we can place a rubber or any other plastic surface on it, especially useful after birth.The paridera must have natural light and a pleasant temperature, as well as be away from air currents or direct rays of the sun.The dog will begin to want to be in the calving or "nest" days before delivery.
The birth of a bitch
Childbirth is the most anticipated moment of the pregnancy of the dog and probably the most doubtful.If your veterinarian has ruled out any risk and does not need a caesarean section, your dog may give birth at home, otherwise, when you observe the first symptoms of childbirth in the dog, you should go to your veterinary clinic urgently.
Childbirth is a complicated time for the dog and you must let her manage her nervousness and anxiety, avoiding manipulating her or forcing her to do anything she does not want.Stay her gently to the room of the paridera if she has not already gone there.Although you are not going to intervene, it is important that you stay at a safe distance to ensure that everything is going well.Remember to have the number on hand of veterinarian emergencies in case any complications arise.
Material needed for childbirth
Here are some things you should have prepared at the time of delivery, to ensure that hygiene levels are adequate and that you can manage any problem without nervousness:
- Newspapers to cover the floor of the farrow
- Dry and clean towels to clean the puppies
- Kitchen paper to clean the floor if fu that necessary
- Thermometer to take the temperature to the parent
- Dental floss to tie the umbilical cords
- Sterile scissors to cut the umbilical cords
- Hot water bag to ensure the temperature of the puppies
- Iodine to clean the cut of the umbilical cord
- A scale to weigh all the little ones
- A notebook to write down the weight and other details of the puppies
Signs that the birth of the dog is approaching
How will we know exactly what the moment? What should we expect from the moment of delivery? There are some signs that make it clear that the moment of the birth of the puppies is approaching, for that reason, you should know them all.
The symptoms of childbirth in the bitch more obvious:
- Experienced bitches usually begin to produce a lot of milk 48 or 24 hours before delivery, while first-time dogs around 7 or 10 days before delivery.
- One bitch about to give birth tries to hide constantly in his paridera, let's leave room.
- Tremor, vomiting and urine may appear.
- We will observe abdominal and uterine contractions, every 5 or 15 minutes.
- The dog will expel a bloody-mucous secretion, for that reason, if your dog is pregnant and boils mucus with blood or something similar to "brown flow", do not panic, it is that the birth is approaching.
- The dog's behavior at this time will be very altered.
- Decrease in body temperature between 1 and 2 ° C that we can know r taking the temperature to the dog
What is the birth of a dog?
Especially if you find yourself in the birth of a first-time dog, you need some advice to know if everything is going well, you should know that the birth of the dog can last up to 4 hours and that the rest time between fetus and fetus can be extended from 30 minutes to 2 hours, although it is not more common.A sign that something is wrong is that the dog has contractions and does not expel a puppy for a long time.
There are three phases of childbirth in the dog :
Relaxation or dilatation delutero : from 4 to 24 hours duration.The female prepares to expel the puppies.It is a moment of restlessness and nervousness.The vulva is enlarged and can even secrete some liquids. Ejection of the offspring : when the contractions begin to become intense and have a duration of at least 60 seconds we must be very relaxed and be attentive because the moment of birth is falling.We will observe how the genital area is licked.The contractions will be stronger and stronger until the first puppy is expelled from the body (still attached by the umbilical cord to the placenta).The rest of the puppies will follow according to small intervals of time.Usually the delivery usually lasts about 2 hours although it can be lengthened considerably if it is a very large litter.The female will lick the puppies to stimulate them while the umbilical cord is cut.There are very few cases in which it does not, if you see that it has no strength or does not carry out this task do it yourself.Remember that you must tell the puppies to know that they are all outside according to X-ray results. Placental expulsion : during delivery, each Puppy is born wrapped in a placenta, on each of these occasions the dog breaks it to let the puppy breathe and then eats it, because the nutritional value is very high.If you observe that it does not break the placenta, do it yourself, but the Puppies could die.In addition, we advise you that if the ejected placenta is too large do not let your dog eat it, it can lead to digestive problems.Labor and delivery in dogs is divided into 3 stages.stage I lasts from 12 to 24 hours.During this stage the uterine contractions begin, but they are not visible externally.The cervix also begins to dilate.During Stage II, abdominal contractions can be seen and the puppies are delivered.they are delivered at intervals of 1 to 2 hours, but that can vary considerably.Stage II can last up to 24 hours.Stage III is defined as the administration of the placenta.Dogs generally alternate between stages s II and III until delivery is completed.
Labor problems
We can affirm that in the majority of cases there are usually no risks in childbirth, even so and for this reason precisely, we have recommended you throughout the article that you go periodically to the veterinarian during pregnancy, because The professional by performing different tests will tell you if your pregnant dog can give birth at home without any problem or require specialized attention.
If you observe any of the problems in the birth of the dog that we show you then call the emergency veterinarian without any delay:
- Absence of uterine contractions
- Uterine contractions without birth
- Hemorrhage
- Abortion
- Fetus jam
- Placental retention
- Fetal death
- Mummification
Some tips for the 3 most common problems:
Puppy jam : If we see a small puppy stuck in the birth canal, never we will pull it, we will have to turn it clockwise to promote the opening of the vagina. The dog is unable to cut the umbilical cord : We will cut it with scissors ourselves, then we will make a knot. A puppy does not breathe : We will open your mouth and practice artificial respiration, we will also massage the chest region energetically and providing heat without harming you.Shake it a little while holding your head carefully.Be very careful and know in detail the resuscitation of newborn pups before delivery.Bitch Postpartum
If your dog has given birth to your dogs through caesarea , you should pay special attention to the care of a dog after a caesarean section, to prevent the points from opening and ensure that the wounds heal properly.Precisely when the dog goes through a caesarean section it can happen that it rejects the puppies.
Remember that the puppies depend entirely on their parent, both to receive food and to regulate body temperature.Its milk is very important because it immunizes them from various diseases that may exist in the environment through a substance called "colostrum." As we have said before, if you see that he does not lick or feed them you should do it following the advice of Animals and Pets Online on how to feed a newborn puppy.
Wrap them in cotton towels and we will place them all in the same small and hot environment.If your dog does not offer to breastfeed l and you will provide the milk that you have purchased at the pet store, always in small doses and being very careful.Call your trusted veterinarian and ask for advice.
If you want to read more articles similar to The pregnancy of the dog week by week , we recommend that you enter our Gestacion section.
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