- Check any and all medications with vet prior to administration
- Bitch should receive normal feeding and exercise regimen
- Do not use any insecticides or administer live vaccines.
- Day of first breeding.
- Sperm migrate beyond cervix.
- To increase chances of fertilization, the bitch should be bred again in approximately 48 hours after the first breeding.
- Sperm travel through oviducts. Sperm may survive for as long as 9 days.
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Sat 1 Oct 2005
- Sperm reach the oviducts where mature eggs are located.
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Sun 2 Oct 2005
- Fertilization of the egg (in the oviducts).
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Tue 4 Oct 2005
- Fertilized eggs migrate into the uterine horns.
- Care of the bitch same as Week 1
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Wed 12 Oct 2005
- Eggs develop into blastocysts.
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Mon 24 Oct 2005
- Embryos enter uterus.
- Bitch may start to experience morning sickness due to either hormonal changes or from uterine distension.
- Feed smaller meals several times a day to help with morning sickness.
- If morning sickness persists, your vet may prescribe a drug to relax the uterus.
- May perform ultrasound at this time to determine pregnancy - discuss possible risks of the procedure with your vet.
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Thu 20 Oct 2005
- On day 19 blastocysts implant in the uterine wall, forming embryonic vesicles.
- On day 22 embryos are visible.
- Bitch may start to have a clear, vaginal discharge.
- May use palpitation to diagnose pregnancy.
- Limit strenuous activity.
- May wish to increase protein in the bitch's diet. Feeding puppy kibble is a good way to accomplish this
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Wed 26 Oct 2005
- Eyes and spinal cords develop.
- Organ formation begins - at this time the embryos are at the highest susceptibility for defects.
- Mammary development begins.
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Fri 28 Oct 2005
- This is the best time to perform palpation to determine pregnancy.
- Embryos are approximately the size of a walnut, placed evenly in the uterine horns.
- Bitch begins to lose her 'tuck-up' as weight increases and puppies shift.
- Swelling of the vulva becomes more noticeable.
- Be aware of bitch's weight - do NOT overfeed.
- Palpitation no longer possible due to increased fluids in the uterus.
- Toes, whisker buds and claws begin development.
- Organ formation (organogenesis) ends.
- The fetuses now look like dogs, displaying head and trunk differentiation.
- Gender can be determined.
- Skin pigment begins to develop.
- May be able to hear fetal heartbeat with stethoscope.
- Bitch's nipples begin to darken and enlarge.
- Introduce bitch to whelping box/area - start having her sleep there.
- Increase frequency of meals, keeping an eye on her weight.
- Do not allow bitch to play rough with other dogs or to jump.
- May take radiographs to determine number and size of pups.
- Bones begin to mineralize.
- Puppies are easily felt through abdominal wall, although hard to count.
- Bitch will start to lose hair around the abdomen.
- Bitch's appetite may decrease due to abdominal crowding.
- May want to have bitch thoroughly checked with vet and discuss possible problems.
- Gather together your whelping kit and make preparations.
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Tue 22 Nov 2005
- Bitch begins to spend a lot more time in self-grooming.
- Breasts become even more swollen.
- Bitch may become a bit restless and search for a suitable place for whelping - make sure she is most comfortable in the area you have set up for whelping.
- Feed several smaller meals spaced throughout the day, as stomach is crowded.
- Fetal movement easily detected when bitch is at rest.
through
Thu 1 Dec 2005
- Clean abdominal area and vulva with warm water.
- Give bitch a 'maternity clip' - trimming hair around nipples to allow pups easier access.
- Bitch's appetite may disappear as whelping time nears.
Tue 29 Nov 2005
- Bitch may become restless and begin to display nesting behavior.
- Begin taking bitch's rectal temperature in the morning and evening.
- Normal temperature range is 100.2-100.8 degrees.
- When temperature drops below 99 degrees, puppies will likely be born within 24 hours.
- Bitch may become distressed - panting, pacing, appearing uncomfortable.
- Clear discharge from the vulva may occur.
- Expected date of whelp (based on an average). Whelping may occur anywhere from the 59th to the 66th day.