Pregnancy is a unique time for any animal, including dogs, when they need the love and affection of their owners. Even if mating occurs, it's impossible to say for sure that a pet is pregnant. Regardless, the expectant four-legged mother requires special care to ensure her offspring are born healthy.
Therefore, a dog owner must know everything about the animal's pregnancy in order to monitor its progress and, if necessary, seek help from a veterinary clinic in a timely manner.
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Pregnancy periods in dogs
In most cases, normal births in dogs occur in the period from 56 to 66 days from the moment of mating, but normal offspring may also be born earlier or later. The length of pregnancy may be affected by:
- pet size;
- number of previous pregnancies.
Typically, the gestation period is longer for larger animals and dogs expecting their first litter. Smaller animals and those pregnant for the first time, on the other hand, give birth much more quickly and easily.
But even if the puppies don't appear at the scheduled time, it's possible the conception date was simply set incorrectly. Mating usually occurs repeatedly throughout the weekBecause of this, conception can occur on either the first or last day, and therefore the due date can shift by up to 7 days. Errors in due date calculations are most often the fault of the owner, not nature.
How to determine pregnancy
During the first month of pregnancy, it's virtually impossible to detect any signs of pregnancy. At this stage, only indirect indications of pregnancy are possible, based on the following signs:
- the pet's behavior is passive;
- the animal may temporarily refuse to eat;
- the dog refuses long walks;
- The four-legged friend is looking for a place to be alone.
It is possible to accurately diagnose a dog's pregnancy only at the veterinary center After an ultrasound examination, the diagnosis is made no earlier than 20 days after mating. A month later, the ultrasound reveals not only the animal's pregnancy but also the number of future offspring.
External changes become noticeable a month after mating. During this same period, behavioral changes are also observed. The animal's abdomen begins to grow, and its chest enlarges. The female's body becomes rounder, indicating the active growth of the puppies. The second half of pregnancy is accompanied by the discharge of a viscous mucus from the vulva. Swelling of the nipples is also observed.
Within 50 days you can feel the puppies, but this must be done with extreme caution. After a few more days, the puppies' heartbeats can be heard. Ten days before the expected birth, movement of the offspring in the mother's womb can be observed even with the naked eye.
The second half of pregnancy is also accompanied by changes in the pet's behavior. The animal becomes wary of strangers and acts aggressively during walks. Some females actively hoard food, hiding it in hard-to-reach places. As the momentous event of birth approaches, the animal begins to rearrange its sleeping area.
Peculiarities of caring for a puppy dog
A pregnant dog requires special attention. During the first 4 weeks, the animal, like a human, severe toxicosis is observedTherefore, it's important to be patient with any changes in your pet's mood or behavior. First and foremost, ensure a balanced diet. Don't stop taking your dog for walks outdoors, even if they resist. However, when walking in the park, be careful that your pet doesn't jump from heights or run too fast. It's also a good idea to protect your pet from stress.
For the first four weeks, the pet's diet can be left unchanged, but after a month, it's advisable to enrich the diet with minerals, proteins, and vitamins. To ensure the diet is as balanced as possible, consult an experienced veterinarian. It's also important to gradually increase the amount of food.
Calcium should be added to the food, but be careful not to overdo it, as too much can lead to health problems for the dog. Approximately 10 days before the litter is born, reduce the amount of protein in food, and 5 days before delivery, it is completely eliminated. Such drastic measures are used to prevent vomiting during labor.
What is meant by false pregnancy?
Domestic dogs inherited the false pregnancy trait from their wild relatives. In the wild, only dominant females can reproduce in packs, while the rest of the packs go into heat at the same time. Dominant animals become pregnant and begin carrying their future offspring, while the rest of the packs begin to show signs of false signs of pregnancyAfter the puppies are born, dominant dogs begin to produce colostrum in other dogs. This phenomenon is also quite common among pets. It is characterized by the following characteristics:
- swelling of the mammary gland;
- colostrum formation;
- The animal is playing with its favorite toys.
A false pregnancy can occur 1.5 to 3 months after estrus. This can be the result of an unsuccessful mating or even a complete absence of mating. According to research conducted by scientists, 85% of dogs experience a false pregnancy twice in their lifetime.
This phenomenon is completely normal and does not require intervention from a person or a veterinary clinic specialist. Only if unwanted complications are detected. veterinarian assistance may be requiredIf a dog hasn't been mated, but shows all the signs of pregnancy, it's likely a false pregnancy. In this situation, it's important to closely monitor the animal's health and, if necessary, consult a specialist.
If mating occurred before signs of pregnancy appeared, it's only possible to determine whether the pregnancy was a false one after the second month, when the fetus can be felt. If the puppies cannot be felt, then all signs are false. However, there are cases of failed pregnancies, where conception occurred, but the fetuses "dissolved." Therefore, it's not always possible to determine whether your pet is pregnant in time. To determine the dog's condition, it's important to monitor changes in her behavior and body composition. An accurate diagnosis is only possible after an ultrasound examination at a veterinary clinic.
Signs of imminent labor in
Naturally, the first sign that an animal will soon give birth is correctly calculated gestational ageChanges in body temperature can also indicate how much time a pregnant animal has left to go. This can vary at different stages. Therefore, by regularly measuring the dog's body temperature, you can determine when labor is about to begin. In practice, this should look like this: if the temperature drops to 37 degrees Celsius, labor should be expected no later than 24 hours later. However, this only applies to small breed dogs.
Another sign that a significant event is approaching is change in behavior Pet. The animal begins looking for a place to give birth or rearranging its sleeping shelter. The dog whines, drinks a lot of fluids, and exhibits unusual restlessness. In this situation, the owner needs to prepare for the birth. It's important to prepare a place for the birth where the animal will feel comfortable. It should be neither hot nor cold, free of drafts, and preferably close to the owner.
Just before labor begins, physical changes may occur: drooping of the abdomen and sunken sidesAs soon as labor begins, the owner can help their pet independently, provided they understand what to do. If you're unsure, it's best to seek the help of an experienced veterinarian.
Nuances you need to know about
As the time for the litter to appear approaches, the expectant mother needs to trim the abdominal area and around the anus. Some dog breeders argue that interfering with the natural process of birth is unacceptable. This is partly true, but not for dwarf breeds. For such animals, the birthing process is difficult and painful. In such a situation, only the owner can help the dog. Otherwise, the animal may not only suffer for several hours but also lose the litter.
It's important to understand that caring for your pet is necessary not only during pregnancy but also after the birth. In addition to a properly balanced diet and short walks, it's also a good idea to light abdominal massageThis will help bring your dog back to normal health much faster. Love animals, and they will always love you back.
