The course of pregnancy in a Chihuahua by day, tips for preparing for childbirth

Timing and signs of pregnancy in a Chihuahua

How long do pregnant Chihuahuas walk? Representatives of this breed of miniature dogs have their own unique body characteristics, so gestation can last from 57 to 72 days.

Pregnancy and childbirth are a crucial moment in a pet’s life.

A lot depends on how many puppies are born to a Chihuahua; the more puppies there are, the shorter the gestation period.

For your information! Even 1 or 2 Chihuahua puppies can be carried for 72 days.

Pregnancy in a Chihuahua can be determined by the following signs:

• weight gain;
• gradual growth of the abdomen;
• swelling of the mammary glands.

The characteristics of the body also affect the symptoms. Some Chihuahuas look normal almost until birth. Signs of pregnancy may appear only 2 weeks before the puppies are born.

False pregnancy

False pregnancy in a dog develops due to hormonal imbalance in the body and psychological disorders. A dog can reach this state after estrus without mating or after mating without fertilization.

The causes of false pregnancy are:

• excess of the hormone relaxin;
• irregular matings;
• inflammatory processes in the uterine area, for example, metritis.

After the end of estrus, a false pregnancy can occur after eight weeks. Due to a false pregnancy, a dog exhibits the following symptoms: nervousness, loss of appetite, apathetic mood, enlarged nipples and abdomen, false labor accompanied by painful contractions.

Due to a false pregnancy, the dog’s psyche may be disturbed, and inflammation of the mammary glands may occur due to stagnation of milk. If this happens to your Chihuahua, immediately contact a clinic where your pet will be prescribed medication.

How was your dog's pregnancy? How long did it last?

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Determining pregnancy using a test

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How can you tell if a Chihuahua is pregnant? One common option is a test. To do this, the dog will have to undergo a blood test. An increased level of the hormone relaxin indicates that the girl is pregnant.

Donating blood and conducting the test gives an almost 100% reliable result. However, it can only be carried out 3 weeks after potential conception.

Ultrasound diagnostics

Another way to detect pregnancy in a Chihuahua is to do an ultrasound. This procedure is allowed to be done 25 days after conception. The procedure is also reliable, but, in addition to the fact of pregnancy itself, it helps to determine the number of gestational fetuses.

It should be remembered that the total number of puppies can only be determined at 40 days. It is from this period of time that babies begin to move actively and the heartbeat can be heard well.

What to do if pregnancy is false

Sometimes bitches exhibit all the symptoms as before expecting puppies, but the babies are not born. In medical terminology, false pregnancy is called a psychological and physiological disorder, which is a hormonal imbalance in the body. The duration of this condition usually lasts no more than 2-4 weeks.

False pregnancy may indicate the beginning of development:

• inflammatory process of the mammary glands;
• benign and malignant formations;
• mental disorders;
• infections and inflammations in gynecology.

Symptoms may recur periodically. To avoid pet health problems, the owner should do the following:

• conduct an examination by a veterinarian with ultrasound diagnostics;
• do not scold the dog for its behavior;
• do not protect it excessively, so as not to worsen the condition;
• Milk should be excluded from the Chihuahua’s diet if it begins to lactate;
• It is worth reducing the amount of meat you eat, increasing the amount of grains and vegetables;
• The bitch should be fed no more than 2 times a day;
• you can use herbal and homeopathic medicines with a calming effect;
• distract the animal's attention from thoughts of an addition by eliminating objects reminiscent of puppies.

Chihuahua pregnancy calendar by day

As already mentioned, how long pregnancy lasts for Chihuahua dogs depends on individual characteristics. For greater convenience and reliability, the owner is recommended to keep a pregnancy calendar for his pet in order to be prepared for immediate childbirth.

1-7 days (1st week)

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No significant changes should be expected in this period of time. The dog looks and feels as usual. For now, a pregnant Chihuahua can eat the same food as always.

Active recreation and games are also not prohibited. The owner should monitor the health of his pet.

Note! It is best to refrain from walking in bad, cold or too hot weather.

7-14 days (2nd week)

Starting from the second week, babies in the mother’s body begin their gradual development, in particular, this concerns internal organs. From this moment on, special attention should be paid to the mental state of the pet.

The dog should avoid stress and any irritants. During pregnancy, it is not recommended to leave your pet alone for a long time or move.

Important! From the moment of conception, dogs are prohibited from receiving any vaccinations or vaccinations. Any chemical can adversely affect the fetus.

14-21 days (3rd week)

From the third week, the first signs of pregnancy appear. Very often this time is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and increased thirst. You should be attentive to your pet.

Nutrition comes down to healthy foods rich in vitamins. Food is given to the animal in small portions.

21-28 days (4th week)

In a month, the fruits already begin to be palpated. By the end of the period, the puppies increase to 0.3 cm. At this time, you should ensure that the animal is in peace and quiet. Active actions are prohibited.

At 4 weeks you can feel the puppies in the stomach

Day 28-35 (5th week)

The size of the fetus grows to 3.5 cm. As a rule, by the end of the fifth week, manifestations of toxicosis completely disappear. Appetite increases. It is recommended to add more protein foods to your diet.

35-42 days (6th week)

Puppies reach a size of 6.4 cm. The dog is given food in small portions 5 times a day. Any physical activity or active activities are completely stopped.

42-49 days (7th week)

During the seventh week, the dog becomes nervous and shows obvious signs of anxiety. The Chihua senses the approaching birth and begins to look for a secluded place. It is the owner's responsibility to prepare the area for childbirth.

49-57 days (8th week)

The amount of food consumed increases significantly. The belly is growing. On the 50th day, the size of the fetus reaches 12 cm. The nipples swell and discharge appears.

Day 57-65 (9th week)

Chihuahua labor begins at 9 weeks or a little later. If the veterinarian performed an ultrasound and determined the number of puppies, the significant date can be more accurately determined. You can also monitor your pet's condition using body temperature. About a day before birth it will drop to 36 °C.

Ninth week - hour of action

Main features

Determining pregnancy in a dog is much more difficult than in a human. Unfortunately, no special tests have been developed yet. The veterinarian will confirm the fact of conception only 20 days after mating using a blood test. But this does not mean that you have to wait 3 weeks to receive this information. By this time, an attentive owner will be absolutely sure of the pet’s situation, because her behavior and appearance will already begin to change.

The first signs of an “interesting” situation can appear within 10 days after mating, even in a bitch who has become pregnant for the first time:

• Behavior changes . Active dogs become calmer; the owner will think that she is sad. But individuals who are more phlegmatic by nature become fussy and nervous. This is especially evident in Chihuahuas who are pregnant for the first time, since this condition is new to them, they regard it as a disease and are frightened by what is happening.
• Drowsiness . This is not a mandatory symptom, but it occurs very often.
• Decreased appetite, pickiness . These are the consequences of toxicosis that appeared on days 7-14. The dog may even feel sick for a while. This is a normal reaction of the body, but if it persists after 20 days after mating, you should consult a veterinarian about this problem.
• Increase in the size of the mammary glands.

It is still quite difficult to determine visually that a woman is pregnant during this period. Her weight is not increasing. The dog may even lose a little weight due to refusal to eat. Even in high-quality, diverse photos, a 10-15 day pregnancy cannot be seen. However, upon reaching day 20, everything begins to change dramatically, because the embryos begin to actively develop and grow.

Because of this, the pet tries to take care of itself. Her physical activity is declining. She also loves to go for walks. But he prefers a quiet, short walk, and spends the rest of the time alone. In addition, his appearance begins to change rapidly. At week 4, it becomes visually noticeable that the animal is bearing offspring:

• Appetite increases . As new organisms begin to form, additional “building material” is needed.
• Weight is growing . At the same time, the size of the fat layer may not increase, but decrease.
• The belly grows quickly and noticeably . With careful palpation, you can even determine how many fruits there are.

Towards the end of the period, more specific signs appear:

• The pet is trying to build a nest and make it more comfortable. At the same time, she protects him from everyone and can show aggression.
• The loop swells . Mucus is released from it.
• This is not the first time that colostrum begins to be released in those giving birth. If the pet is pregnant for the first time, this may not happen.

The day before giving birth, the animal may refuse to eat, but will drink heavily. If, in addition to those described above, other, more alarming symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Caring for a pregnant bitch

Caring for a pregnant female Chihuahua is not as difficult as it may seem. The main rule that the owner should remember is more affection and no unnecessary stress. Excessive loads and overvoltage should not be allowed.

Walking in the fresh air is necessary, but you need to make sure that the animal is not too tired or stressed.

What to pay attention to before giving birth

The prenatal condition has a lot of noticeable signs. The dog’s behavior becomes more restless, it begins to build a kind of “nest” where it will give birth. Body temperature drops and the animal may begin to tremble. The pet may also begin to refuse food.

All of these signs indicate that the due date has almost arrived, and the owner needs to prepare for the arrival of the babies.

How to prepare the birthing area

No matter how long a dog carries Chihuahua puppies, sooner or later she will give birth to them. At this point, if the birth takes place at home, it is necessary to prepare. The detailed plan for the owner is as follows:

1. Determine a separate place for the dog, preferably a room where it can be in peace and quiet.
2. The bed should be in a warm place without drafts. However, you cannot install the house next to radiators and other heating systems.
3. The birthing area must be ready at least 2 weeks before the expected event. The pet is transferred there. Set up a place for food and water.
4. It is recommended to place a mattress and a waterproof diaper on the bottom of the bed.

How to feed a potbellied Chihuahua?

If you feed commercial food, then continue to feed it for the first 3 weeks. Starting from the second week of pregnancy, increase the daily dose of food by 2-3% every week. From 3-4 weeks, switch to specialized commercial food for pregnant and lactating dogs from your usual manufacturer. Commercial food, as a rule, meets the needs of a dog in an “interesting” situation.

Additional vitamin and mineral supplements are not required unless indicated by a veterinarian. Pamper your pet more with fresh fruits and vegetables: carrots, cucumbers, bananas, cabbage, green apples, and so on.

When feeding your Chihuahua natural food, include more fermented milk products (cottage cheese, kefir, sour cream, cheese), vegetables and fruits in the diet. A pregnant Chihuahua requires more protein, calcium and vitamins for the development of the puppies' body. Clean drinking water should always be available to the animal.

Cabbage and carrots are very healthy, so these vegetables should be the main ingredient in vegetable stew. Buckwheat is rich in protein, calcium, iron, vitamins and minerals. Give as porridge mixed with fruits or vegetables. Give lean meats in small quantities no more than 2 times a week. Systematically increase the amount of daily food every week by 4-5% to avoid overeating and excessive accumulation of fat on the dog’s sides.

Remember that a catastrophic lack of calcium in the blood of a pregnant Chihuahua in most cases will lead to a fatal disease - eclampsia. However, an excess of calcium in the dog’s blood in the last weeks of pregnancy will also lead to unpleasant consequences. 2 weeks before giving birth, minimize foods high in calcium and protein in your dog's diet.

In general, I recommend trusting a veterinarian who can competently create a diet for the entire period of pregnancy of your Chihuahua bitch and prescribe mineral and vitamin nutritional supplements if necessary. Will determine the optimal daily dosage of food in a particular case. Self-indulgence can be harmful.

Basic process of childbirth

Chihuahua puppies are born in individual membranes. During childbirth, in most cases, this membrane ruptures on its own. If this does not happen, the mother can chew it on her own, releasing the puppy.

The umbilical cord is also chewed by the dog on its own, after which the female licks the newborn babies.

For your information! The duration of breaks between births of puppies can last from 1 minute. up to 1 hour. If more than 2 hours have passed, it means that labor is over.

Labor can last all night

Possible difficulties

During childbirth, situations may arise where medical assistance is required. What the owner should pay attention to:

• before the process itself, black or bloody discharge appeared;
• attempts continue for more than 5 hours;
• the puppy is stuck in the birth canal;
• The mother lost consciousness from the painful shock.

Important! If anything is in doubt or the birth is taking place for the first time, it is best to agree in advance with the veterinarian about a possible house call.

How does childbirth occur in a Chihuahua?

As soon as the female's sides begin to walk, we can talk about the onset of contractions. The first puppy went down the birth canal.

At the beginning of labor, the Chihuahua prefers to lie on its side and rest its paws against the wall of the box. When the bladder ruptures and amniotic fluid comes out, labor begins. The frequency of contractions increases and they become longer. Usually everything takes about 5 hours.

Each puppy is born in the membranes. As a rule, it ruptures on its own as it moves along the birth canal, or it is chewed by the female.

Afterwards she gnaws the umbilical cord and licks the puppy who has just been born. This is necessary to stimulate the baby's breathing and blood circulation. Immediately after this, the afterbirth comes out and is eaten by the mother.

Typically, the interval between the birth of Chihuahua puppies is up to 60 minutes. If 2 hours have passed, we can talk about the end of labor.

What help might a mother need during childbirth?

Typically, intervention by a veterinarian or an experienced owner is required if the puppy is lying incorrectly. With this position, he descends along the paths with his tail first, which makes it difficult to pass along the paths. In this case, you should gently pull it by the skin on the back and back of the head to help it come out.

Under no circumstances should you pick it up by the paws. This can break fragile bones.

Human intervention is required if the female does not do the things required by nature:

At the end of the process, the babies are transferred to a box with a heating pad, and the mother is washed with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Features of care during the postpartum period

After giving birth, the animal should be washed well, given milk and allowed to rest. The female carries out the main care of the puppies independently. Human intervention is not required in this matter. The owner needs to promptly change the blanket and diapers in the bed, provide the mother with water and food.

Newborn Chihuas are smaller than your palm

What to feed after childbirth

After giving birth, it is quite difficult for a dog to eat. In the first few days, the food should be semi-liquid. Broths and porridges made with milk work well. It is recommended to add vitamins and bone meal to your food.

Chihuahua nutrition during pregnancy

Starting from day 16, it is recommended to feed the dog 4-5 times a day in small portions.

From the 31st day of pregnancy, mineral supplements are introduced into the daily diet of the Chihuahua mother, most often 25 g of bone meal. It is useful to give vitamins A, D1, D3, tetravit or trivit in consultation with a veterinarian.

The diet must include cottage cheese, meat, fish and liquid milk porridge; bones and tendons are excluded to avoid constipation. From day 45, veterinarians recommend giving your dog calcium chloride with milk. From day 48, meat is removed from the diet, leaving fish.

A pregnant Chihuahua's diet must include additional vitamin supplements.

The awareness and attentiveness of the owner and the competent assistance of a specialist will ease the dog’s pregnancy period and lead to a happy moment of the birth of healthy offspring.

Possible postpartum complications

In the first week, you should especially carefully monitor the dog's condition. An elevated temperature (up to 39-40 °C) that persists for 2-3 days is a reason to call a doctor. In addition, the animal may develop the following diseases:

• inflammation of the uterus;
• milk heat;
• mastitis.

As you can understand, pregnancy and childbirth require little human intervention. In most cases, the dog copes with everything on its own. However, this does not mean that the process can be left to chance. We must not forget about our pet, who will soon become a mother.

Chihuahua giving birth: how to understand that the process has begun

When the pregnancy has passed by weeks, the Chihuahua begins to behave differently. If the period has come to an end, the dog may notice the following signs:

• she is looking for a secluded and quiet place;
• behaves restlessly, begins to scratch the floor or bedding;
• if the body temperature drops to 37 degrees, labor cannot be avoided in the next 12-24 hours;
• the bitch begins to breathe more often when contractions occur;
• on the eve of contractions, the pet’s body begins to tremble;
• the water begins to break when strong abdominal contractions occur.

After all the listed symptoms, the first puppy should come out after 30-40 minutes.

Half an hour after the water breaks, labor begins

If the owner of the dog provides it with all the necessary conditions during pregnancy and childbirth, then the pet will forever remember a good attitude towards itself and its brood.