Signs Your Dog is pregnant
Once you have bred your bitch you will eagerly look for signs of canine pregnancy. Seeking more attention than usual, feeling hungrier and nipples and vulva that are somewhat enlarged could be some of the early signs. Visiting a vet will confirm it. More obvious signs of dog pregnancy, which generally manifest after three weeks of initial breeding, are:
· Vomiting due to hormonal changes.
· Listlessness and avoiding food.
· Weight gain, distention of the uterus. May require being relaxed with a drug.
· Nipples turn more pink.
More feeding may be required during dog gestation. It could last 56 to 69 days from the date of first breeding and could be slightly longer for larger breeds and somewhat shorter for smaller ones. Accessing a dog pregnancy calendar through the Internet will help you to track the stages from the date of the first mating right up to the day of whelping and help you prepare in advance. It will also suggest procedures for care of your pet throughout canine gestation and what to expect when whelping is near.
Special Care During Pregnancy:
Pregnant bitches love being pampered with more stroking! Regular walking, or some running within limits, will help maintain muscle tone and prevent overweight. Dog food generally has the required supplements. Give extra supplements only if the vet suggests, as excess could harm the litter. Excess calcium could even cause eclampsia. Provide extra protein every alternate day with a boiled egg or some cottage cheese. Frequency of meals can be increased midway through the dog gestation. Hair round the nipples gets thinner and may need trimming. De-worming before whelping is a good idea. Discuss treatment with the vet. Regular visits to the vet are necessary but expensive: it's wise to save for them.
Preparing for Puppies:
A whelping box can be expensive. Save for one and buy in advance. The Internet will provide information about availability and about making or assembling one. Pet shops are good sources. Keeping in mind the size you require, ensure that the whelping box is:
· Preferably made from double-walled rigid cardboard.
· Easy to assemble.
· Properly lined, insulated and comfortable.
· Provide puppy protection.
· Requires no disinfecting
· Can be discarded.
If you make one, line it with newspaper sheets and cover with a whelping blanket of soft thick fur. Use heavy drop cloths of plastic to hang from the walls or ceiling so that the whelping box is both safe and warm.
Encourage your bitch to sleep and sit in it so that she gets used to it prior to whelping. Keep the whelping box in a quiet room or basement where it is warm and cozy.
As whelping draws near your bitch will become more active, quieter, restless, and display her nesting instincts. She may scratch the floor or her bed and refuse food. Children and visitors are best kept out during whelping.
Natural instincts in bitches help them care for themselves during whelping: your aid may therefore, be unnecessary. Just be around in case a vet is required. Once the puppies are born, she will lick them clean and bite off the umbilical cord. Closely watching nature at work through the miracle of birth can be one great experience of a lifetime!
Once you have bred your bitch you will eagerly look for signs of canine pregnancy. Seeking more attention than usual, feeling hungrier and nipples and vulva that are somewhat enlarged could be some of the early signs. Visiting a vet will confirm it. More obvious signs of dog pregnancy, which generally manifest after three weeks of initial breeding, are:
· Vomiting due to hormonal changes.
· Listlessness and avoiding food.
· Weight gain, distention of the uterus. May require being relaxed with a drug.
· Nipples turn more pink.
More feeding may be required during dog gestation. It could last 56 to 69 days from the date of first breeding and could be slightly longer for larger breeds and somewhat shorter for smaller ones. Accessing a dog pregnancy calendar through the Internet will help you to track the stages from the date of the first mating right up to the day of whelping and help you prepare in advance. It will also suggest procedures for care of your pet throughout canine gestation and what to expect when whelping is near.
Special Care During Pregnancy:
Pregnant bitches love being pampered with more stroking! Regular walking, or some running within limits, will help maintain muscle tone and prevent overweight. Dog food generally has the required supplements. Give extra supplements only if the vet suggests, as excess could harm the litter. Excess calcium could even cause eclampsia. Provide extra protein every alternate day with a boiled egg or some cottage cheese. Frequency of meals can be increased midway through the dog gestation. Hair round the nipples gets thinner and may need trimming. De-worming before whelping is a good idea. Discuss treatment with the vet. Regular visits to the vet are necessary but expensive: it's wise to save for them.
Preparing for Puppies:
A whelping box can be expensive. Save for one and buy in advance. The Internet will provide information about availability and about making or assembling one. Pet shops are good sources. Keeping in mind the size you require, ensure that the whelping box is:
· Preferably made from double-walled rigid cardboard.
· Easy to assemble.
· Properly lined, insulated and comfortable.
· Provide puppy protection.
· Requires no disinfecting
· Can be discarded.
If you make one, line it with newspaper sheets and cover with a whelping blanket of soft thick fur. Use heavy drop cloths of plastic to hang from the walls or ceiling so that the whelping box is both safe and warm.
Encourage your bitch to sleep and sit in it so that she gets used to it prior to whelping. Keep the whelping box in a quiet room or basement where it is warm and cozy.
As whelping draws near your bitch will become more active, quieter, restless, and display her nesting instincts. She may scratch the floor or her bed and refuse food. Children and visitors are best kept out during whelping.
Natural instincts in bitches help them care for themselves during whelping: your aid may therefore, be unnecessary. Just be around in case a vet is required. Once the puppies are born, she will lick them clean and bite off the umbilical cord. Closely watching nature at work through the miracle of birth can be one great experience of a lifetime!
| Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jyoti_Shah | |
No comments:
Post a Comment