Testing For Pregnancy At The Veterinarian’s
Breast Development: Changes In Nipple Size And Color
Your dogs nipples will swell during pregnancy as her body prepares for feeding her puppies.
You may also notice that your dogs nipples are slightly darker or redder than usual, indicating increased blood flow.
This can be quite a slow change to notice however, it is one of the most apparent indicators of puppies aside from diagnostic testing.
Difference Between False And True Pregnancy
False Pregnancy: Whats the best way to tell if your pup is expecting? The answer might seem obvious, but it turns out there are some excellent signs that can help! One of these tells us whether or not an animal has had a successful mating session. False pregnancy occurs when fertilized eggs dont implant in their uterus- this usually happens because they were never meant for delivery via a birth canal . A true pregnancy is the result of successful mating and implantation of the fertilized egg.
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Unwanted Pregnancy In Dogs: Prevention And Termination
Most dogs get in heat at least twice or three times a year, depending on their size and breed. Female dogs attract male dogs in their vicinity with the pheromones that they secrete and cause pregnancy in dogs. What if this is an unwanted dog pregnancy?
If you own a female dog and are not wary about heat cycles, you could own multi-breed puppies in no time. And this will contribute to an already overwhelming overpopulation of dogs.
As a result, animal shelters stay packed because of the large number of puppies left. Primarily due to unwanted pregnancies.
In this article, we will help you determine the signs of whether your dog is pregnant or not. We will also discuss the ways how to prevent or terminate this.
Ready for this? Read on to continue.
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Is Lupus A Terminal Illness
With close follow-up and treatment, 80-90% of people with lupus can expect to live a normal life span. It is true that medical science has not yet developed a method for curing lupus, and some people do die from the disease. However, for the majority of people living with the disease today, it will not be fatal.
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Have Your Maltese Checked Before Mating
Most couples will go for a health check before trying to conceive just to make sure that they are both in good health.
The same thing should be done for your Maltese before breeding her to ensure that she doesnt have any genetically related diseases that can be passed on to her offspring.
Here are some health problems that Malteses are prone to.
Taking Care Of New Puppies
When puppies are born, they are born with a protective fetal membrane that is removed by their mother. If the mother doesn’t remove this sack you will have to do it yourself so the puppy will be able to breathe. You can do this by breaking the sac, wiping away any fluids from their nostrils, facing the puppies head down, opening their mouth, and stroking the puppy’s body with a towel wiping away any remaining fluids.
You may also notice the umbilical cord not being removed during birth or by the mother. If so, you will have to break it yourself. You will have to be careful not to pull on the cord because it could damage the puppy’s organs. You will need to tear it gently about an inch away from the puppy’s body, using your thumb and first two fingers.
Right after the puppies are born you should call your veterinarian. They will tell you when to start taking the puppies to the vet and provide you with advice on the next steps you should take. They might also ask you to bring the puppies in to see them right away to make sure the birth went well and the puppies don’t have any conditions, such as umbilical hernias or cleft palates. They may suggest waiting until the puppies are a bit older for their first veterinary appointments.
During the Puppies First Couple of Weeks
If the mother will allow it, you can slowly start socializing the puppies with the other pets and people in your home. Starting this at a young age can help them fit better into the household.
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Enlarged Or Discolored Nipples
While a female dogs nipples are normally small, pregnancy causes her nipples to grow in size during the early stages of pregnancy. The areolas also become somewhat rounded compared to their usual flatness. You may also notice your dogs nipples turning a slightly darker red than normal, which would indicate an increase in blood flow. Later into the pregnancy, her nipples may occasionally leak milk, as well.
How Long Does It Take To Find Out If A Dog Is Pregnant
Your dog being pregnant may not even be a thought in your mind if it’s not planned. So, it may go undetected until your dog begins to show symptoms. Whether planned or unplanned, the question is, how long after mating can you tell a dog is pregnant?
Signs of canine pregnancy usually begin in the second trimester, about three weeks into the pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting, often known as morning sickness, are uncommon in dogs, but hormonal changes may cause nausea and vomiting in some dogs between days 21 and 25. As early as 21 days into the pregnancy, you may also see an increase in bodyweight. If you observe pregnancy symptoms in your dog and want to get them tested, they should be at least 22 days pregnant for the test to be accurate.
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How To Avoid Dog Pregnancy
Here at the CCSPCA we strongly recommend that all dogs be spayed or neutered because its a surefire way to avoid an unexpected litter of puppies. Its also better for your dogs health and typically improves the temperament of aggressive or otherwise unruly canines. However, your dog may not be spayed yet and there are several ways to help prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Keeping your dog under close supervision is crucial when she comes into heat. This period of fertility may last up to 3 weeks and during this time she will undoubtedly be attracting the attention of any males in close proximity. If you live in an area where your dog is allowed to roam, be sure to keep her in the house during this time, only taking her out for walks on a leash to keep her under your control.
You may find that her heat period is quite messy so a dog diaper can be used both to keep the inside of your home clean and as a deterrent against male dogs during your time outdoors. Just be sure to remove it often to let her urinate and defecate.
If you need to spay your pet, we have many affordable options available. View our pricing and spay and neuter services.
Ways To Abort Canine Pregnancy
Hormone drugs are one of the most common ways to terminate a dogs pregnancy. These can be implemented, but only until up to 45 days of gestation. They need to be prescribed by a veterinarian and be from a reputable source. Do not purchase them online or from an unlicensed retailer. Even qualified medication may incur side effects.
If the drugs are taken early enough, the fetus will be absorbed. Later term abortions will are riskier and the dog will need to expel the fetus. Expelling the fetus may have its own side effects. There is a greater risk of obstructions and it may even require a cesarean section if the fetus is sufficiently large.
It is also possible to terminate a dogs pregnancy by sterilizing her while pregnant. It is a way which allows for the two procedures to occur at the same time and can be a good option for some. Theoretically this can be done at any stage, but it will depend on the judgment of the veterinarian. If there are other risks then they will also be able to asses whether it is a good option. Some veterinarians may not want to make this procedure based on their personal views. The more advanced the pregnancy, the riskier the intervention. There is a greater chance of hemorrhaging and causing damage to the uterus.
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Changes In Your Behavior
Dogs are very attentive and socially responsive, especially with their owners. They notice slight changes in an owners behavior, which is why some are trained to be registered emotional support companions for people with PTSD, anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders.
During pregnancy, your behavior or routine may change in ways that your dog notices. For example, your dog might notice that youre more tired than usual, that you have major nausea, that youre in nesting mode or even simply that your baby bump is growing.
How Late Can You Terminate A Dogs Pregnancy
Ideally, the female should be out of heat but not in advanced pregnancy. If it is important that the female animal be bred in the future, the pregnancy can be terminated without sterilizing her. This entails the use of medications to end the pregnancy during the second trimester, about 30-40 days into the pregnancy.
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What To Do If You Think Your Dog Is Pregnant
The first thing you need to do if you believe your dog is pregnant is call your vet. When your dog has been pregnant for approximately 4 weeks your veterinarian will be able to perform an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy. When 35 days have passed they may also be able to perform blood tests. When your dog’s pregnancy is confirmed there are several things you need to do to keep them healthy.
Feed Your Dog Proper Nutrition
When your dog has been pregnant for about four weeks you should put them on a high-calorie diet that contains the nutrients they need to be healthy. There are some high-quality brands of food designed for pregnant dogs, your vet will also be able to recommend the dog food that will suit you and your dog best. Do not feed your dog large breed puppy foods because they often don’t include a lot of the nutrients your pregnant pup requires such as calcium and phosphorous.
Since your dog won’t have as much room in its belly it’s usually recommended to feed them smaller meals more frequently.
Take Your Dog to The Vet
You should take your dog to the vet to make sure they are healthy during their pregnancy and don’t have any conditions they can pass down to their puppies. This includes a fecal exam to check for intestinal parasites. Do not give your dog any over-the-counter dewormers because they could be harmful to her and the puppies.
Give Them a Comfortable Nesting Place
Keep Them Away From Other Dogs
Monitor Their Temperature
Unwanted Pregnancies In Dogs
You have a few options if youve just found out that your dog is pregnant but dont want puppies. Pregnant dogs can be spayed, which will terminate the current pregnancy and prevent future ones. This is generally a better option early in a pregnancy. Medical pregnancy termination is also possible but is usually only considered for dogs who are part of a breeding program.
Of course, allowing the pregnancy to go to term is also possible, but youre going to have lots of responsibilities during the next four months or so, including:
- Taking care of your dog during her entire pregnancy
- Monitoring the birthing process
- Taking care of your dog and her puppies for around eight weeks after birth
- Getting all the dogs any necessary veterinary care
- Finding good homes for the puppies
Its always best to spay and neuter dogs before an unwanted pregnancy occurs.
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What Should You Know About Canine Pregnancy
Dogs are pregnant for three trimesters, with each only lasting roughly 21 days.
It can be difficult to notice any signs that your dog is pregnant in the first few weeks, but if you expect as much, it would be a good idea to take your dog for a check-up.
As dog pregnancies are so much shorter than humans, your dog may be quite far along before you even notice she is pregnant.
It is a good idea to know what signs and symptoms to look out for.
Immediately After My Female Dog Has Been Mated Is There Anything I Should Do
Make sure that she does not have the opportunity to mate with any other dogs. Remember that estrus or ‘heat’ will continue for several more days and she could theoretically become pregnant from another dog during this period. After a planned mating, it is a good idea to allow her to rest quietly for a few hours.
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How Long Does It Take To Notice That Your Dog Is Pregnant
In the first 15 to 18 days of pregnancy, the fertilized eggs will travel through your dogs uterine horn to embed themselves in the lining.
During this time, growth is relatively rapid, and the eggs will double in size every week.
Until the eggs have settled and hormones are being produced, there are no physical differences between a pregnant and a non-pregnant dog.
From about 21 days onwards, you may notice hormonal changes in your dog, such as vomiting and swollen nipples.
You may only notice that your dog is pregnant towards the third trimester when she starts getting bigger and her abdomen becomes swollen.
How Do You Prepare For Whelping
This can be an article by itself, but we will go through the main things you should do. The most important thing is to prepare a whelping box. Make sure that it is isolated from other people, and that it is extremely comfortable.
Put a lot of blankets, toys, and pillows in it. The whelping box is their secure place while birthing, and when the puppies are still small and they need to nurse. Some dogs dont like much attention while whelping, but others can even postpone the whelping process until their owner comes home.
My husbands Bull Terrier did this. We went outside to grab a couple of things, and were gone for a couple of hours. As soon as we came back home, she went into her whelping box and started delivering.
You should always have some food and water to offer them when the process starts. A good idea that I saw is to offer them ice-cream for dogs. It cools them down a bit, and will give them the strength to continue the delivery.
If you know the due date, try to be in the house around that time, and give them comfort. This can all be scary, but you can always ask your vet for help. They will be willing to be available 24/7 to assist you over the phone.
You will need a lot of blankets or cloths because the whelping process can get messy. When your dog is taking a small potty break, you should take that time to clean a bit, so it is more comfortable for them to proceed with the process.
We know you got this!!
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How To Prepare For Dog Births
Many dogs whelp naturally however there are some breeds, such as English Bulldogs and other short-nosed dogs, that cannot whelp naturally. Planned caesarian sections are required in these cases, so working closely with your veterinarian is essential.
For those animals whelping naturally, near the end of your dogs pregnancy, you should create a quiet nesting area for the whelping process. This area should be warm and comfortable, and your dog should be able to get in and out as she pleases while keeping the puppies contained. There are many great resources on whelping boxes that are easy to clean while providing comfort and safety for mothers and puppies.
It is also vital for the mother to be isolated from other dogs three weeks before labor and three weeks after delivery to prevent herpesvirus infection. This virus rarely causes disease in adult dogs but can be deadly for puppies.
A pregnant dogs temperature will drop well below 100°F within 24 hours of labor, so you should start taking her temperature a few days before her due date. Rectal temperatures are the most accurate.
