Dog Pregnancy Signs

In the first few weeks, you may not noticeany changes in your dog's behavior. Some pregnant dogs will seem more tired,some may vomit, and somemay eat less. You may notice that your dog is gaining weight and her mammaryglands are becoming more prominent. Late in pregnancy, many dogs will exhibitnesting behavior, such as dragging blankets to a safe place and rearrangingpillows.   

It is important to note that mammarydevelopment and color changes can also occur in non-pregnant female dogs duringthis time because of normal hormone changes.

How Do I Know if My Dog Is Pregnant?

Methods of confirming pregnancy include:

·       A dog pregnancyultrasound, which should be done around day 25–28 of the pregnancy.

·       Abdominal X-rays, which canbe done on day 45.

·       There are available blood tests to determine pregnancy;however, they are inaccurate and not a valid method for determining pregnancy.

·       Some vets may also be able to palpate (feel)a dog's abdomen to determine pregnancy, but this, too, isunreliable and can be unsafe for developing fetuses.

Discuss these methods with yourveterinarian for more information on which is best for your dog.

Whether or not a female dog is pregnant,her hormones after a heat cycle areremarkably similar. Because of these hormones, false pregnancy (orpseudopregnancy) allows nonpregnant dogs to show symptoms such as lactation andmaternal behavior changes. These changes are hormone-related and typically goaway on their own with little or no medical intervention.

Dogs experiencing pseudopregnancy rarelyrequire medical treatment related to the condition, but side effects orcomplications are possible, and it is essential to talk to your veterinarian.If your dog isn’t going to be bred, spaying her canprevent future episodes.

How Long Does Dog Pregnancy Last?

A dog’s pregnancy length (or gestationperiod) is around 63 days from ovulation, or just over two months. Ovulation isdetermined by monitoring the hormones progesterone and luteinizing hormone(LH). Reproduction veterinarians commonly perform this testing.

By determining the day of ovulation, aveterinarian can specify a highly accurate due date down to a three-day window.If ovulation timing is not performed, a dog's ovulation date is largelyunknown, and the due date may range from 58–68 days from breeding.

What to Feed Pregnant Dogs

Many pregnant dogs should be transitionedto a higher-calorie diet in the last few weeks of their pregnancy, especiallyfor dogs with large litters. This diet should be a commercial diet labeledfor pregnancyand lactation or a diet labeled for puppies.

In addition, there are severalhigh-quality, over-the-counter, veterinary-recommended diets labeled forpregnant dogs, such as Royal CaninMother & Baby dry food or canned food. Ask yourveterinarian about the appropriate diet for your pregnant or lactating dog.Pregnant and lactating female dogs should be kept on this higher-calorie dietthrough weaning.

It’s important to note that puppy foodsdesigned for large breeds are generally not recommended forpregnant and lactating dogs because of their different vitamin, mineral, andcaloric content. Raw diets arealso discouraged due to the high potential for infections that can causeabortion or fetal compromise.

Health Considerations for Pregnant Dogs

Parasites

You should have a fresh stool samplechecked by your veterinarian during pregnancy, as intestinal parasites canspread to the puppies both in utero (in the womb) and during nursing.

Do not use over-the-counter dewormers foryour pregnant or nursing dog, as some of these could be dangerous. Instead,your veterinarian can prescribe the appropriate medication if her stool sampleshows parasitic infection.

Vaccinations

Pregnant female dogs, ideally, should nothave vaccinations. So make sure your dog is up to date on her shots and flea, tick, and heartworm preventionbefore she becomes pregnant.

But there are a fewcircumstances in which a female dog should be vaccinated during pregnancy.Newborn puppies are born without an immune system. They rely on their first 24hours of nursing to receive protective antibodies through the mother's firstmilk, called colostrum. To best protect puppies, the mother should have highantibody levels to pass on. If she is not up to date on one of the corevaccines—the combination distemper and parvovirus—veterinariansmay elect to vaccinate a dog during pregnancy if the benefits outweighpotential risks.

Talk to your vet at your pre-breeding examto determine vaccination status.

How to Prepare for Dog Birth

Many dogs give birth naturally. However,there are some breeds, such as English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and othershort-nosed dogs, that cannot typically whelp naturally. Planned caesariansections are often required in these cases, so working closely with yourveterinarian is essential.

For those whelping naturally, near the endof your dog’s pregnancy you should create a quiet nesting area for the whelpingprocess. This area should be warm and comfortable, and your dog should be ableto get in and out as she pleases while keeping the puppies contained.

It’s also vital for the mother to beisolated from other dogs three weeks before labor and three weeks afterdelivery to prevent herpesvirusinfection. This virus rarely causes disease in adult dogs but can bedeadly for puppies.

A pregnant dog’s temperature will drop wellbelow 100 F within 24 hours of labor. Start taking hertemperature a few days before her due date. Rectal temperatures arethe most accurate.

How Long Does It Take for Dogs to GiveBirth?

There are three stages of dog labor.Contractions in the first stage can last up to 12 hours. Puppies are usuallyborn 30–60 minutes apart, but the mother dog may take a break between puppiesthat can last up to two hours. Here’s what happens in each stage.

First Stage of Dog Labor: Start ofContractions

The first stage is cervix relaxation andthe start of intermittent contractions. However, you are not likely to see thecontractions in the birthing process.

Your dog will act restless during thisstage, travel in and out of the nesting box, pant, dig, and sometimes evenvomit. She will likely refuse food. This stage can last as long as 12 hours.

Second Stage of Dog Labor: StrongerContractions and Birth

The second stage of labor begins withstronger, more frequent uterine contractions that eventually lead to the birthof a puppy. Puppies are usually born every 30–60 minutes, with 10–15 minutes ofhard straining. Expect some puppies to be born tail-first, as this is notabnormal for dogs.

It is normal for the mother to take a breakduring the whelping process, but it is important to know when to be concernedand call your vet. Signs for concern include:

·       If your dog has been hard straining for more than 30 minutes

·       If she takes longer than a four-hour break

·       If there are fetal membranes in the birth canal without a puppyproduced within 30 minutes

·       If all puppies haven't been born within 24 hours

·       If the mother seems to be in extreme pain

Third Stage of Dog Labor: Afterbirth

The third stage of labor includes passingall the fetal membranes, or placenta. The membranes, also known as afterbirth,are greenish-black and should not have a foul odor. Membranes should passwithin 15 minutes of each puppy. Therefore, dogs willalternate between stages 2 and 3 with each puppy produced.

How Many Puppies Can a Dog Have?

The average litter size varies widelydepending on the breed.

Larger dogbreeds typically have larger litters. The average number ofpuppies in a litter is six to eight, but some large breed dogs have been knownto give birth to many, many more! Smaller breeds mayhave one to five puppies.

Dogs that only have one or two puppies maynot go into labor on their own and may require a C-section. Singletonpregnancies and dog breeds that do not typically give birth naturally may needa planned C-section, which you should discuss ahead of time with yourveterinarian.

Your veterinarian can take an X-ray in thelast week of pregnancy to count how many puppies your dog is expecting. Thisclarity can help pet parents to prepare supplies and expectations.

What Should You Do After a Puppy Is Born?

Puppies are born with a protective fetalmembrane that the mother usually removes shortly after birth. If she doesnot remove this sac, you must manually remove it to stimulate the puppy tobreathe.

Break the sac, wipe away fluid from thepuppy’s nostrils, open the mouth with the head facing down and wipe off anyremaining fluids. Next, stimulate the puppy to breathe by stroking its bodyfirmly with a towel.

If the umbilical cord is not cut duringbirth or by the mother, you may need to cut it. But be careful not to pull onthe cord, as this may cause damage to the puppy’s organs. Instead, break itabout 1–2 inches from the puppy’s body, tearing it gently with your first twofingers and thumb. You may also want to purchase medical instruments, such asclamps and scissors, before the birth to assist in the process. If you areunsure how to complete this process or have any concerns, contact yourveterinarian immediately.

Issues to Watch for After Your Dog GivesBirth

Here are some things to expect and what towatch for following the birth of the puppies.

Vaginal Discharge

Vaginaldischarge may last in small amounts for up to eight weeks after thepuppies are born. The discharge will normally appear reddish-black because itconsists mainly of old blood.

Ifthe discharge is overly bloody, has an odor, or looks like pus, your dog shouldbe examined by her veterinarian as soon as possible. If thedischarge slows down but suddenly becomes worse, this could also be a sign tohave her examined.

Fever

Continue taking your dog's temperatureafter whelping, as infections after birth are common. If her temperature isover 102.5 F or if she is acting sick, contact your veterinarian.

Metritis (Inflamed Uterus)

Metritis, orinflammation of the uterus, can occur when a placenta is retained or sometrauma occurs during delivery. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you seesigns of:

·       Fever

·       Lack of appetite

·       Odorous vaginal discharge

·       Lack of interest in the puppies

·       Lack of milk production

Eclampsia (Drop in Blood Calcium Levels)

Eclampsia mayoccur during whelping and the weeks after giving birth. It’s caused by theinability of the mother’s body to keep up with the calcium demand of lactation.Eclampsia is usually seen in toy breeds, and calcium supplementation duringpregnancy predisposes a dog to this condition.

Dogs with this condition will experiencerestlessness, abnormal mothering behaviors, itching face/nose, muscle spasms, astiff gait, and even seizures. Consult yourveterinarian as soon as possible if you see any of these behaviors, aseclampsia can be fatal.

It is crucial to NOT supplement calciumduring pregnancy, as it could have a counterintuitive and severe effect duringlactation. Instead, talk to your veterinarian about calcium supplementationdoses.

Mastitis (Infected Breast Tissue)

Mastitis, orinflammation of the mammary tissues, occurs when the mammaries become hard,red, and painful due to infection.

The mother will likely be sore whilenursing, but the puppies need to keep suckling to help reduce swelling andpromote excretion of the infected material. It does not hurt puppies to nurseon these glands, even in the presence of infection, but the glands should beevaluated quickly.

Contact your veterinarian if you areconcerned that your dog may have developed mastitis, as your dog will likelyneed treatment.

Agalactia (Not Producing Milk)

Agalactia occurs when the dog’s milk is notproduced. If the puppies are suckling well but not receiving any milk, it’simportant to seek veterinary care and supplement puppies during this time.

The first milk, or colostrum, provides thepuppies with the necessary nutrients and antibodies from the mother to helpbuild up their natural immunity to infections. If they do not get theseessential substances during the first 24 hours of life, they will requireadditional veterinary care and will likely not thrive.

Postpartum Care

Here are the steps you should know forpostpartum care, nutrition, and nursing.

Keep Your Dog on a High-Calorie Diet

Your dog should be kept on a higher calorie(pregnancy or puppy) diet for as long as she is nursing her puppies. Make sureshe has food and fresh water readily available at all times.

Create a Private Space for Your Dog and thePuppies

Keep the mother dog and her puppies in aclean, quiet, low-traffic area of the house. If there is too much commotionaround her, she may become stressed and neglect her puppies. Also, provide asafe space where she can rest away from her puppies while still having easyaccess to them.

Monitor Nursing

Newborn puppies should nurse every one totwo hours, so your dog will likely be with them constantly for the first weekor two. If you think that your dog may not produce milk or isn’t letting thepuppies nurse, contact your veterinarian.

Medications and vaccines should be avoidedwhile your dog is lactating (nursing) unless approved by your veterinarian.

Call Your Vet if Your Dog Seems Sick

If your dog becomes ill, call yourveterinarian immediately and let them know that she is nursing so they canprescribe safe medications if needed. Likewise, if your dog stops eating,vomits, or becomes very lethargic (weak and tired), or if you notice rednessand swelling in any of her mammary glands, contact your veterinarian.

Consider Spaying and Neutering

There is no benefit to female dogs inhaving a litter of puppies. It can be highly demanding on her body, and someconditions during pregnancy, whelping, and nursing can be fatal.

Talk to your veterinarian about spaying orneutering your dog when the time is right. Spaying is the only birth controlfor dogs. The cost of an unwanted pregnancy can be very high. Giving a litterof puppies proper veterinary care adds up quickly, and emergency cesareansections can cost thousands of dollars.

Small-breed dogs can be spayed ata younger age, as early as 6 months old. Large and giant dog breed spays maybe delayed. Recent evidence shows that allowing some large-breed dogs to becomeskeletally mature before spaying or neutering may reduce the risk of jointproblems later in life. For large and giant breed dogs, this may be anywherefrom 9–18 months of age.

Ask your veterinarian for their specificrecommendation because there is no one-size-fits-all rule of when to spay orneuter your dog.

It is also important to consider the riskof pyometra (infectionin the uterus), a life-threatening condition in intact (not spayed) dogs. Thebest way to prevent this serious and expensive medical condition is to haveyour dog spayed.

In addition, spaying before the first heatcycle (which can occur as early as 6 months of age) can also reduce the riskof mammary cancerin your dog.

Featured Image: iStock.com/JodiJacobson