How do you know your dog is pregnant?

How do you know your dog is pregnant? Here are facts and signs to know when your dog is pregnant and how to care for her after giving birth.

How exciting can it be to expect new puppies as a dog owner? Not knowing, you will have lots of new commitments when putting up with your pregnant canine. Here, I will be showing you how you care for your dog during their pregnancy, and signs your dog is pregnant, the period she will be pregnant, and how to get ready for the birth of puppies.

Symptoms Of A Pregnant Dog

During the first few weeks of your dog's pregnancy, it sometimes used to be hard to notice differences in her behavior and physical characteristics. Yet, during this period she may puke or lose her appetite. Commonly, dogs can be pregnant for approximately 60-65 days. Anyway, the precise date will differ depending on the breed and some other traits such as an increase in weight, swollen stomach, getting tired easily, increase in appetite, Irritability more affectionate. 

What To Do When You Notice Your Dog is Pregnant

Immediately you notice these symptoms of your dog being pregnant, call your vet. It should take approximately 4 weeks for you to notice that your dog is pregnant so that your veterinarian can carry out an ultrasound to confirm her pregnancy. After 35 days of pregnancy,  they might need to carry out blood tests. After your dog's pregnancy has been confirmed there is a need for you to keep her healthy.

Provide Proper Nutrition For Your Dog

After four weeks of your dog being pregnant, there is a need to put them on a high-calorie diet that contains nutrients that will keep them healthy. high-quality branded food designed for pregnant dogs is most recommended. Your vet might also suggest food that will be best for your dog. It is not advisable to feed your large breed dogs with puppy foods because puppy food doesn't include the kind of nutrients your pregnant dog needs such as calcium and phosphorus. 

It is also advisable that your dog eats small meals as she does not have enough room in her belly.

Call For Your Vet

Always alert the vet to make sure your dog is healthy during pregnancy and does not have any infections that can contaminate her expected puppies. This can include a fecal exam to check for intestinal parasites. Do not deworm your dog because they can be dangerous to her and the puppies. 

If you are expecting a dog's pregnancy,  make sure they are up to date with its vaccinations and parasites before it becomes pregnant.

Give Them a Comfortable Nesting Place

Make a comfortable place for your dog to nest before the end of her pregnancy period. A warm place away from any excitement or other pets. Also, make sure the place provided is spacious for pacing. This was a form of exercise.

Make Sure Your Pregnant Dog Is Isolated

Always make sure your pregnant dog stays isolated for three weeks before your dog gives birth and after your dog gives birth to prevent them from contracting the canine herpes virus. This virus can be life-threatening and deadly for puppies.

When Your Dog is Giving Birth

When your canine starts giving birth, she might have mild reactions for about 6-12 hours. At this stage, she tends to be more restless. She begins to walk in and out of her nesting area or even dig and pant. She will start having stronger and more frequent contractions which will lead to giving birth.

She will push for approximately 10-15 minutes before she starts to deliver her puppies. She will give birth to one puppy in 20 minutes, however, she will take a break periodically and then wait for 4 hours in between. The puppies can come out with their head and sometimes with their tail, this is normal.

After giving birth to each puppy, a fetal membrane which is a greenish-black colored mass will be passed. The mother will then remove it herself or you help her cut it off.

Attend to her and make sure she is not straining for more than an hour or taking breaks that will exceed four hours. If need be, call the attention of the vet immediately. 

Signs You Need To Watch Out For After She Has Given Birth

After she has given birth, you will need to watch out for the following signs: contaminated breast tissue, vaginal discharge, lack of milk from the breast, lethargy, throwing up, fever, and loss of appetite. 

If your dog isn't feeling well or you notice any of the above signs call your vet as quickly as possible and let them know your dog is nursing so they can prescribe medications or treatments that are safe

Care of New Puppies

When the puppies are born, they are born with a protective membrane which is to be removed by the nursing mother. In most cases, the mother might not remove it. You will have to remove it yourself so that the puppies will be able to breathe. You can do this by breaking the sac, wiping away fluids from the nostrils and facing the puppy's head down, opening its mouth, and stroking the puppy’s body with a clean towel or wiper. 

You may also notice the umbilical cord if it's not been removed by the mother or during birth, you can break it yourself. In doing this, you have to be careful not to pull on the cord to avoid damaging the puppy's organ. You need to tear it gently about an inch away from the puppy’s body with your thumb and first two fingers.

Immediately after the puppies are born, it is right for you to call the vet. The vet will instruct you on the appropriate time you should bring the puppies to the veterinary and provide you with the steps you need to take. In most cases, it is proper for the vet to come to you instead of taking the puppies to them. They will monitor the birth and condition such as umbilical hernias or cleft palates. They will also suggest you wait for the puppies to get a bit older for their first appointments.

During the puppy's early stage

Puppies can regulate their body temperature until they get to their third and fourth weeks after birth. You need to provide them with a warm clean place to stay and be of comfort in an area of about 97oF. It is important not to intervene too much with the mother and her puppies during the first couple of weeks. This can be stressful for the mother and her puppies. Puppies are also susceptible to illness. The mother may also show some aggressive attitude to people or animals that approach her and her puppies. At this point, they are very protective of their puppies.

As your puppies grow older

As the puppies get older, you can start socializing them with other pets and people around you. At this stage, it will help them get better into the household and learn. You can also mix solid food and water or puppy food to make it easier for them to eat well. Place their food in a clean container or plate where they can gain access easily. When it's 5-6 weeks old, they won't be eating from their mother's breast as they will now rely on eating solid food.  And as they grow older, their mother starts to leave them to take a break and socialize with other pets and people in the environment. 

It is also advisable not to send your puppies to a new home when they are not up to 10 weeks old.