Pregnancy and childbirth in a Yorkie. How to deliver a baby to a Yorkie!

Features and duration of pregnancy

If the mating of a Yorkie bitch is successful, she will become pregnant after two to three weeks. During this period, the pet requires special care from the owner. He must detect pregnancy in the early stages and adjust the care of the dog. Then you can be confident in a successful birth and the health of your future offspring.

Yorkie puppying becomes possible after puberty, which occurs at 8-12 months. You should not breed a dog too early - the colossal load on a young body sometimes leads to sad consequences. The optimal age is about two years.

Yorkshire Terriers bear puppies for 58-64 days, most give birth at 60-62. You can recognize the beginning of a dog’s pregnancy only by its behavior. For the first 7 days, the pet eats little, sleeps a lot, and behaves apathetically. After a week, the dog returns to its normal life.

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In the third week you can feel the embryos. Entrust this only to an experienced specialist, in order to avoid harm to the life and health of future puppies.

Caring for a dog when bearing offspring

Important details:

• after confirmation of pregnancy, you need to pay more attention to the bitch, reduce the level of stress, protect the animal from injuries, falls, and any situations where the expectant mother and puppies may suffer;
• it is important to arrange a comfortable den (bed) so that the dog feels comfortable and can retire when tired from communicating with its owners;
• Guests and children should not be allowed to play with the dog for a long time if the animal does not like it;
• You shouldn’t treat a pregnant bitch like a patient, but you need to minimize health risks;
• It is useful to give the animal vitamin and mineral supplements for pregnant bitches. When receiving natural products, the diet must be adjusted according to the recommendations of the veterinarian. It is important that the dog receives larger portions than usual, but you should not overfeed your pet. Phosphorus, calcium, protein, unsaturated fatty acids Omega 3, 6 and 9, iodine, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, the optimal amount of fat must be in the diet of a pregnant bitch;
• In the early stages, due to toxicosis, many miniature dogs refuse to eat at all. The unpleasant phenomenon will gradually go away. Nutritional formulas for pregnant women and vitamin and mineral supplements, which are sold at a veterinary pharmacy, will help support your dog;
• careful hygiene of nipples, genitals, disinfection of the bed, wet cleaning - measures that reduce the risk of bacterial and fungal infections;
• It's good to walk your dog more. Strong, strong muscles make the birth process easier. During walks, the body receives more oxygen, which has a positive effect on the development of puppies. You should not drive your dog in a position where there are snags, holes, steep descents and ascents to avoid injuries and falls. Agility for dogs, overcoming obstacles, and training on sports equipment should be postponed until the puppies are born.

Pregnancy by day

The gestation period for Yorkshire Terrier bitches is quite short, so changes in the body of the mother and future puppies occur almost daily. The pregnancy calendar will help you understand them in detail.

This table gives an idea of ​​the course of a dog’s pregnancy by day and the changes occurring in it.

How to understand that a dog is fertilized

Signs of pregnancy in a Yorkie begin to appear a few days after mating. The owner needs to be very careful to notice these signs and take appropriate measures in time.

Newborn Yorkie kittens

A very interesting question is how long do pregnant Yorkies walk? Experts say that the average duration of gestation is approximately 2 months, but this period can vary less or more.

Attention! The standard gestation period for a Yorkie is 59-64 days, but it can last longer.

The duration of pregnancy is also greatly influenced by the individual characteristics of the dog’s body.

Three weeks after fertilization, the owner of the female may notice the most obvious signs:

• decreased appetite;
• the appearance of small and frequent trembling;
• viscous transparent discharge from the loop;
• toxicosis.

Signs of labor

By the behavior of the bitch you can determine the approach of childbirth. She begins to fuss and look for a secluded place. The owners should not allow her to hide so that the necessary help is provided on time. It is worth noting that some dogs do not show anxiety, but, on the contrary, become more active.

One of the very first signs of imminent labor is a drop in Yorkie's temperature. It must be measured several times a day 2-3 days before the expected birth. If it drops to 36-37 degrees, you only have to wait a few hours, a day at most.

A sure harbinger of an imminent birth is frequent emission. The dog's stomach drops, puts pressure on the bladder, and makes him want to constantly go to the toilet.

Just before giving birth, the female fusses, looks under her tail, and seeks the support of her owner. She can dig a nest in a cozy and quiet place. The dog's breathing quickens. If her limbs or whole body tremble, this means contractions have begun and the puppies will soon be born.

What to feed your Yorkshire Terrier during pregnancy?

For almost the entire prenatal period, the diet does not change. A different menu may cause stress or upset your stomach. It is necessary to gradually increase portions, but do not overeat. Therefore, it is advisable to regularly visit or consult a veterinarian about the weight and condition of your pregnant pet. Only 2 weeks before giving birth, the Yorkie is switched to puppy food or the amount of meat is reduced, compensating for it with cottage cheese, eggs, kefir, and fish. It is important to walk your dog more often, reducing the time spent on walks. She needs to move, breathe air and get vitamin D outside so that pregnancy and childbirth go smoothly.

Preparing for childbirth

In order for the pregnancy to end with a successful birth at home, the owner must prepare in advance. It is very important to agree with a veterinarian who can help in an unforeseen situation.

The first thing that needs to be prepared is the birthing area, which should be lined with oilcloth and clean cloth. There you should place a bowl of water for the giving birth female. You should not choose a place in a draft or near a battery. It should be quiet and moderately warm.

You should stock up on disposable diapers. They will also be useful in postpartum care. There should be a sufficient number of clean rags, cotton swabs, and alcohol on hand for cleaning instruments. For newborn puppies, you should prepare a separate box and put a heating pad or a bottle of warm water in it.

A pipette with which to pump out mucus from their nose will not be superfluous. To cut the umbilical cord, you need sharp sterile scissors, thread for tying and brilliant green with cotton swabs for processing. Sterile bandages may be needed if assistance is needed.

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Anna Abramenko

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The following medications should be nearby:

• calcium gluconate;
• oxytocin;
• no-shpa;
• diphenhydramine;
• saline;
• alcohol;
• brilliant green;
• syringes.

Yorkies have quite long hair; before giving birth, the bitch needs to be trimmed in the tail area. The claws should also be trimmed, because during contractions she can accidentally harm herself.

Interesting article: Life expectancy of Yorkies at home

Types of feeding: what to choose

When choosing food for your pet friend, it is important to know that there are two types of food for the Mini Yorkshire Terrier: natural food, industrial dry and wet food (canned food).

What are the benefits of natural food?

Natural does not contain chemical flavors or dyes, and is more familiar to us. But cooking creates inconvenience when traveling, out of town, and requires experience and information.

Natural food for Yorkshire dogs includes: fresh, well-scalded, finely chopped beef, long-cooked offal, a little cereal, raw chopped vegetables, fermented milk drinks, cottage cheese, eggs. The problem of natural nutrition for the Yorkshire Terrier is easily solved by owners who have a lot of free time for cooking.

Some owners prefer to treat their dog with their food, posing a threat to the pet's health. Due to products containing large amounts of sugar, salt, and spices, the animal experiences a loss of smell, kidney disease, liver disease, and allergies often occur in Yorkies.

Benefits of feeding prepared foods

Ready-made food is convenient and eliminates the need for constant cooking. They are easily selected for any breed, taking into account the dog’s activity and age category. They contain the necessary minerals and vitamins and are suitable for busy people.

Is dry food dangerous? Suspicions arose for a reason. Imported feed of dubious quality, imported decades ago, caused a negative attitude, but they were replaced by modern brands of premium products from companies with an impeccable reputation.

How to give birth at home

It is not recommended to leave your Yorkshire Terrier alone during whelping. The owner's help is especially necessary for first-time bitches - they have no experience, and they act only on the basis of instincts. Under no circumstances should you panic. The owner must be ready to deliver the baby. It is necessary to understand the physiology of the process in advance in order to help the pet.

Normal labor lasts from 3 to 12 hours. After the puppy comes out, it is necessary to tie the umbilical cord with thread at a distance of about one centimeter. Then it is cut off with treated scissors and burned with brilliant green.

Then the amniotic sac is carefully broken. All mucus should be wiped off the puppy, the nasal passages should be cleared, and the mother should lick it. There is no need to rush - the break between babies is usually about 30 minutes.

After the necessary treatment, the newborn is placed on the mother's breast. When the next push starts, the puppies are put into a prepared box. The dog usually eats the afterbirth. She should not be prohibited from this, as it contains substances that stimulate labor. But to avoid problems, one or two pieces will be enough.

You cannot force stuck puppies out. You need to call the vet urgently. But if the head and front paws have already appeared, and the dog is tired and cannot push the baby out, you can help her by gently pulling him towards you.

In between births, your Yorkie should be given water and kept moving. This activates labor activity. After the dog has given birth to her last puppy, you need to change the diapers, clean her fur of discharge and leave the new mother alone with the children.

Postpartum care

Maternal instinct in a whelping bitch usually manifests itself immediately. Therefore, it will not be easy to tear her away from the kids. But in order for the dog to have enough strength to care for its offspring, it also needs better conditions.

After giving birth, 7-8 hours later, you need to take the female outside. The walk should not be long, and the dog itself will most likely hurry home quickly. After going outside, the Yorkie is first washed, dried with a hairdryer, and only then allowed in with the children.

If the pet has sufficient lactation, then sucking sounds will be heard from the box with puppies. When a restless and constant squeak is heard from there, it means that the kids are hungry. To ensure that your bitch produces enough milk, you need to provide her with proper nutrition. Food should be brought directly into the box, 4-5 times a day.

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Anna Abramenko

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At first, it is recommended to give light and liquid foods, for example:

• porridge with milk;
• dairy products;
• bouillon;
• boiled vegetables.

Don't forget about water. It should always be clean and fresh. Particular attention should be paid to the mammary glands of the woman in labor.

The owner needs to constantly ensure that the puppies suck all the milk. If it remains in the breast, it can lead to stagnation, to which mastitis will later be added. If babies cannot cope on their own, milk is expressed.

Symptoms of stagnation:

• hardening of the nipple;
• redness;
• turning blue.

With mastitis, pus is released along with the milk. Puppies should not be allowed to use such nipples; they should be switched to artificial feeding. A sick bitch must be shown to a veterinarian to prescribe a course of treatment.

Postpartum diarrhea is a common problem in females of this breed. If it lasts a long time, the dog is put on a strict diet and given decoctions of rice, oak bark and pomegranate peels.

An important point in postpartum care is monitoring the dog's discharge. At first they are bloody. Then the color changes to brown, then light. By days 9-12, the discharge becomes very scanty and transparent.

Their unpleasant odor, the presence of pus or blood should cause concern. This indicates an infection. In this case, the owner urgently needs to consult a veterinarian to treat the dog. To avoid such problems, the owner must ensure the cleanliness of the bitch and her bedding.

After

During the week after birth, you need to give your pet 1 tsp 2-3 times a day. milk with calcium. You should not feed your Yorkie meat; it can cause eclampsia, a severe form of toxicosis.

It is better to feed a lactating bitch with high-calorie ready-made industrial food.

You can bathe your dog only 7 days after birth; before that, only wiping with a damp towel is allowed.

What to do in case of complications

Unfortunately, childbirth does not always go smoothly. Both during and after them, complications may arise:

• heavy bleeding;
• cessation of contractions;
• stuck puppy;
• failure to achieve labor 2 hours after the water breaks;
• damage and rupture of the uterus;
• eclampsia;
• inflammation;
• gastric volvulus and others.

The owner himself can handle some of the problems. When the puppy gets stuck, you can help the bitch push it a little. If he does not breathe after birth, a chest massage is needed. But most complications require veterinarian intervention.

To avoid them, it is necessary to show the dog to a specialist in advance, who will determine whether the pregnancy is developing normally, whether childbirth is possible without a doctor, and whether there are indications for a cesarean section. If deviations appear during childbirth, you should immediately call a veterinarian.

How many puppies are born

During estrus, up to 12 eggs mature. Of course, not all of them will be fertilized or implanted in the uterus. But such a possibility exists. The number of fertilized eggs will be affected by the bitch’s hormonal background, number of matings and births, age, health status and other factors.

The average number of puppies is 3 or 4. There are deviations in one direction or another, but both multiple and small pregnancies are dangerous for the dog. In this case, the best option is delivery by cesarean section.