The Care Of Your Pregnant Dog
When your dog becomes pregnant, the needs of the body changes not only physically but in regards to food and exercise and general grooming too. A pregnant dog needs to be in fit shape for the birth of her puppies.
You may suspect your dog is pregnant when she appears to have an upset stomach approximately 3 weeks after mating her. If you desire to do so, you can check her vulva for signs of swelling which may indicate pregnancy. Normally this occurs when she is in heat, but when pregnant it won’t go down but remain enlarged. If you wait 30 days from the date of breeding, a vet can conduct a pregnancy test. Around 5 weeks of pregnancy the pregnant dog’s nipples will start to look broader. A vet can confirm pregnancy by ultrasound around 21 days and at 45 days radiographs can be taken of the unborn pups.
The normal gestation period is 60 to 63 days counting from the day of breeding.
A pregnant dog needs daily exercise – walks are fine. It is important not to take her out for walks within that last 3 weeks of her pregnancy.
It is important to note that vaccinations should not be performed on pregnant dogs because doing so could cause deformity in the puppies. Instead, shots should be given prior to breeding so that the puppies can derive protection from the mom having the shots in her system prior to the pregnancy.
Make a whelping box about two weeks before her due date. The box needs to be deep enough for the adult dog and 3 to 4 puppies. Place newspapers, sheets, or towels on the bottom of the box and change them as needed so that the box is ready. Each new puppy born should have it’s own towel to clean in.
Your vet will give you instructions on how to care for your pregnant dog, especially in the last 2 weeks of her pregnancy when it is vital that someone always be around and monitoring her progress in case she goes into labor early.
You will be taught how to take her temperature and watch for that drop in temperature that occurs approximately 24 hours before the start of labor.
Never leave a pregnant dog alone who is about to give birth. Most dogs will deliver without complications but if your dog does have a difficult birth; your dog will need you to stay calm and seek a vet’s help immediately. In emergency cases, cesarean’s can be performed.
There is plenty of information to be found online regarding the care of a pregnant dog. There are also plenty of books written on the subject. Each pregnancy is different and each birth will be unique. The needs of the pregnant mom and pretty much the same as any pregnant mom to be safe, as comfortable as possible, and to find relief from pain if possible.
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