Pregnancy In Bitches. What Care Is Needed

It is common among dog owners, especially being purebred dogs, to want to raise puppies. But what exactly has to be done to help our dog in this very special moment ? Here we explain to you the basic care and what you need to know about pregnancy in dogs.

previous care

If the dog’s pregnancy is something that has been decided by the owners and is under control, the first thing to be done is to choose the father.

The best thing is to have a medical check on him and make sure he is in good health, has no congenital or hereditary diseases (and in case he has known parents, make sure they don’t have any hereditary diseases either. ) and that he has no parasitic infections.

The next step is to take the bitch to the veterinarian, who will determine the best time for the bitch to become pregnant and, in addition, he will supervise the process in order to rule out birth problems.

In case of uncontrolled pregnancy or if you have collected the dog from the street, you must also take the dog to the veterinarian to determine the status of the pregnancy and rule out problems.

In addition, before pregnancy, both parents must be properly vaccinated (especially the mother, to make sure that the immune system is in perfect condition to ensure the safety of the puppies) and dewormed.

The female can be dewormed when she is already pregnant, but products suitable for pregnant bitches should be used.

Sometimes, after mating, if the fertilization is not completed, what is called false pregnancy can happen , that is, the bitch shows the symptoms of pregnancy, but she does not have any offspring.

In extreme cases, he may even undergo a false birth and must be treated with medication.

The best way to know if a dog is pregnant is to have an ultrasound. In this way, the general state of the embryos and the mother’s reproductive system is contrasted.

In addition, around 6 weeks, it is convenient to take an X-ray to accurately determine the total number of puppies.

The stages of a female dog’s pregnancy are heat, mating, pregnancy, delivery, lactation and weaning. In all these stages it is convenient to meet the dog’s needs in particular and make sure that the environment where she lives is stress-free to ensure the health of the puppies.

During the pregnancy

The gestation of a female dog lasts from 60 to 63 days, but it can be shorter if the puppies are big, and the symptoms of pregnancy are an increase in the abdomen and the growth of breasts and nipples, which become bigger and pink.

The pregnant bitch must follow a balanced diet, trying not to change her weight and, especially during the first 6 weeks, it  is advisable not to increase the food or incorporate nutritional supplements so as not to cause the puppies to develop excessively or give birth problems.

However, from a month and a half, more nutrients should be given and food should be divided into several portions per day, as the enlargement of the uterus prevents the expansion of the stomach.

Normally, from a month and a half it is convenient to increase the amount of food by 25%, however, you should take it to the vet, who will recommend the type of food and the exact amount.

In childbirth…

The animals in general, and the bitches in particular, organize themselves to give birth, however it is convenient to watch so that everything goes well.

It’s even good to have a person around that the animal trusts, especially if that person happens to have to intervene.

When the birth approaches, the female begins to show certain signs: she is restless, looks for a quiet and dimly lit place, licks her vulva frequently and her temperature drops to 37º.

If, in addition, an emptying occurs in the area of ​​the hips and vulva, it is because the bitch is dilating and has contractions.

For this, have a large box prepared where it will fit with your puppies and cover it with cloths, old blankets or pillows so that it is comfortable. Before they reach two hours after the first contraction, the first puppy will be born.

the puppies

Puppies are usually born covered by a membranous pouch, which is the placenta, but sometimes it breaks and a puppy or two is born, even before the placenta comes out.

At the end of the birth, it is necessary to check that it has the same number of placentas as the puppies, to be sure that none of them remain inside the bitch.

It is possible to help the bitch to cut the umbilical cords, but it is very normal for the bitch to remove them until they are destroyed and for her to eat the placentas.

Between the birth of a puppy and the next, approximately 20 minutes pass, so the bitch takes the opportunity to take care of what has already been born (removing the placenta, the cord, cleaning it, etc…) while waiting for the next one.

Only if you notice that the dog neglects one of the puppies to take care of another, you can help her by cleaning the puppy with a clean towel and if possible boiled, still wet and warm, until the puppy screams with some force.

Immediately after giving birth, the puppies will want to nurse, seeking in addition the warmth of their mother and litter.

During their first few days of life, they are unable to regulate their temperature, so it is convenient to house them. Especially if the mother leaves the place where she gave birth, it is convenient to cover the puppies with a cloth or towel.

Lactation lasts from 4 to 6 weeks and from the fourth week onwards the puppies start to eat solid foods.

The mother will eat a lot more than usual at this stage, but she also usually feeds the puppies, as they have more nutrients.