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Pregnancy Calendar for Dogs for Your Reference
The pregnancy calendar for dogs resembles that of a woman, in a shorter amount of time. If you’re planning on being a breeder, then knowing what and when things are going to happen is important. Keeping track of a dog’s pregnancy can be very educational, for adults and children. It can be very educational and teach children about pregnancy, and the birthing process. You should always be careful if you let your children now a pregnant dog. Pregnancy can give her characteristics that she may not have had before; such as aggression and agitation. In the beginning: • There is the first day of breeding. • Ideally, the dog should be bred again to enhance the chance of gestation. • The sperm migrate. • The sperm travel in search of mature eggs • The sperm reach the eggs. • Fertilization happens. • The fertilized eggs travel into the uterine horns. • During this time, the eggs will grow into blastocystes. • When the blastocystes grow into embryos.  Further along the pregnancy calendar for dogs: • During the next two to three weeks the organs will begin to develop. • The dogs nipples will become enlarged and darken. • The belly on the dog’s fur will begin to thin out. • Some dogs experience morning sickness. The dog may experience some appetite loss. Some dogs vomit from time to time. • Some drugs to help relax the uterus can be prescribed by a veterinarian. • At this point having the abdomen palpated by a vet will confirm the pregnancy • The fetuses are fully developed, but they are the size of a small dog. Near the end of the pregnancy calendar for dogs: • The puppies are fully formed and could be born anytime. • The Puppies can be felt and seen from the abdomen (if the dog isn’t obese). • The Dog will spend more time grooming herself. • The dog’s mammary glands increase in size quite a bit. • May start looking for a place to whelp, if a place hasn’t been provided for her already. • The dog may lose her appetite. • Cleaning of the dog’s vulva and nipples should be done at this point to ensure that the puppies can nurse properly, and are born in a clean environment. • The temperature of the dog should be checked every 12 hours or so. Once the temperature drops below 101 F, then chances are the birthing process will begin shortly. RECOMMENDED READING Subscribe to the Pet Comfort Newsletter DISCLAIMER The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.
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