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Your dog and…..Pregnancy
The canine pregnancy last just over nine weeks, or 64 days to be precise!
It is important to have a birth plan in place to prepare for tasks that need to be done, such as worming and organising scans.
The Beginning
Fertilisation takes place in the fallopian tubes, Six to ten day the fertilised egg move down into the uterus. The fertilised eggs or “zygotes” are spaced out symmetrically, so they have an equal chance of being nourished by the placenta.
Three Weeks
This is approximately equivalent to the three-month stage in a human pregnancy. The puppies organs and key tissues will have now developed.
Five Weeks
The main characteristics will now be visible. The ears, eyes, legs, mouth and tail are all in place.
Six Weeks
The foetus will have formed itself into a miniature dog. Claws, eyelids, hair and skin colour will now be visible.
Six to Nine Weeks
The puppies will be steadily growing and internal organs will be developing.
What about mum?
Feeding
The pregnant female will gain weight gain in the last four weeks of pregnancy. Increase her food by 10-15% per week from beginning of the fifth week until whelping. When the litter is due, she will be eating approximately 50% than usual.
Avoid overfeeding as obesity can cause problems during labour.
Exercise
Pregnant bitches need to keep fit, and light exercise is recommended. There should be no heavy exercise or jumping. Agility and pounding should be avoided.
Worming
Pregnant bitches are prone to roundworm. This is due to her natural immune system failing to deal with them. Roundworm larvae cross via the placenta into the puppies, where they infest the liver. Some roundworm larvae settle in the mother’s mammary glands and pass onto the pups when they feed.
Worming should begin at around six weeks. Repeat every five days until the puppies are born.
