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Q.
How long does
pregnancy in the dog last?
A. Pregnancy, also called the gestation
period, normally ranges from 57-65 days with an average of 63 days.
With a planned breeding, the date of
mating should be carefully recorded. If there are two matings, make a
note of the exact dates and expect birth to occur between 63 and 65 days
later.
Q. Immediately after my
female dog has been mated, is there anything I should do?
A. Make sure that she does not have the
opportunity to mate with any other dogs. Remember that estrus will
continue for several more days. After a planned mating it is a good idea
to allow her to rest quietly for a few hours.
Q. Should I alter her
food?
A. It is important that she is in good
physical condition before she is mated. Both the male and female dog
should be examined by a veterinarian prior to mating.
After mating food intake should
remain the same during the first two-thirds of pregnancy (approximately
six weeks after mating). If a well-balanced diet is being fed there is
no need to use additional vitamin or mineral supplements. Discuss
nutritional supplements and vitamins with your veterinarian before
giving them to your dog. Some large breed dogs may have adverse effects
if they are given certain supplements.
Q. What do I do after the
sixth week?
A. After the sixth week of pregnancy,
food intake should be gradually increased and high energy, low fiber
foods are recommended. An excellent option is switching your dog to a
high quality puppy food, such as Science Diet Puppy, until the puppies
are weaned. As the fetuses increase in size, abdominal pressure
increases and frequent small meals are advised.
During the last three weeks of
pregnancy, food intake can be increased by up to one and a half times
the normal level giving small meals more frequently.
If you are unsure about any
supplements or medication, please do not hesitate to contact us. Some
commonly used drugs should be avoided if your dog is pregnant.
Q. How can I be certain
if my dog is pregnant?
Early pregnancy detection in dogs can
be extremely difficult. A Relaxin test can be done at the clinic as
early as 25 days after mating and is 80% reliable. Trans-abdominal
palpation (feeling the abdomen for enlarged uterus) by a veterinarian at
about three to four weeks after mating has been useful. It has to be
said that results depend more upon the relaxation of the female than the
experience of the doctor.
We recommend taking an abdominal
radiograph (x-ray) during the last two weeks of pregnancy. This is the
most accurate method for counting fetuses. Knowing the number of
puppies is essential for a few reasons: first, you will know how many
puppies to expect and can contact the veterinarian if any complications
arise; second, smaller litters are more prone to dystocia (difficult
labor) and may require a c-section if the puppies are unable to pass the
birth canal.
Abdominal ultrasound can also be used
to verify pregnancy, but this is generally a costly procedure. Depending
on the equipment, positive diagnosis can be made as early as three
weeks. Most scans from 28 days onwards are reliable. Any estimate of the
number of puppies should be treated with caution. Ultrasound is not very
reliable in determining the number of puppies you can expect.
Q. Should I change her
routine as pregnancy advances?
A. As pregnancy progresses
intra-abdominal pressure increases, therefore the number of meals rather
than the quantity per meal has to be increased. Let your pet decide how
much physical activity she needs. This depends on the number of puppies
and the amount of intra-abdominal pressure she is experiencing. Do not
over exercise. Watch for any vaginal discharges and contact your
veterinarian if you have any concerns.
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