Pregnancy in dogs: duration, signs, how to diagnose

When can you tell if your dog is pregnant?

It will be possible to find out for sure whether the mating was successful only after 1.5-2 weeks. Noticeable signs of pregnancy in a dog appear only a month after conception. However, professionals may notice minor changes in the animal’s behavior, which may indicate an “interesting” situation has arisen. If this is the first pregnancy, then the belly of your four-legged pet may become rounded only just before birth. Today there is no need to guess whether the mating was successful. You can go to a veterinary clinic and in the first month of pregnancy find out the exact data about your dog’s condition. This can be done using ultrasound.

The most interesting facts

How do you know if your dog is pregnant? There are many possible methods to detect the presence of small pets in her belly. But, there are several more important points that relate to this unusual situation:

The gestation period in dogs varies in days. The total duration is from 58 to 65 days. Most females give birth on the 63rd day from conception.
By one year, the bitch’s body has already fully matured. This means that, theoretically, he is ready to bear a new life.
Dogs, like many other animals, can only become pregnant when they are in heat - twice a year.
A non-standard method for finding out that a dog is pregnant: hang a ring tied on a string over it. If it begins to make circular movements, it means that the individual is expecting an addition soon.
A caring owner should wish the best for his pet, that is, so that her birth takes place without complications. To do this, she needs to be trained during pregnancy. Of course, this does not mean that you need to run with it and climb the horizontal bars. Walking will be enough.
There are also sexually transmitted diseases in dogs. Unfortunately, in most cases they lead to termination of pregnancy.

There are many versions of how to find out that a dog is pregnant. The most plausible is a diagnostic examination, which can be done in a qualified veterinary clinic; other methods are very questionable and have no scientific explanation.

Ultrasound diagnostics

The most reliable way to find out if a dog is pregnant is an ultrasound. The procedure is carried out from 24 to 35 days after mating. At this time, you can accurately see not only the presence of puppies, but also find out their exact number and predict the course of pregnancy. For more accurate diagnosis, ultrasound is done at a later stage. For example, 38-45 days after mating. You can trace the formation of babies, draw conclusions about their health and readiness for birth.

How can a veterinary clinic help?

If you don’t understand how to find out if a dog is pregnant, you can turn to professionals. More and more pet owners are turning to them for advice. Modern veterinary clinics use the latest equipment. It allows you to get reliable results.

For example, those who are interested in how to find out if a dog (Yorkie or any other dog) is pregnant may be advised to conduct a relaxin test. This test, which determines the amount of a specific hormone produced by the fetal placenta, can be taken at any veterinary clinic. However, it appears in the animal’s blood only on days 20-40. In addition, you can use so-called test strips. They can also be used at home. The disadvantage of this method is that it only shows the presence of embryos, without determining whether they are alive.

And for those who want to understand how to find out if a dog (terrier or representative of any other breed) is pregnant, we can suggest sending the pet for an ultrasound examination. This highly accurate method can be used from the fifteenth day. With its help, you can assess the activity of embryos, determine their number, size and location.

In addition, for all breeds, after five weeks from the moment of mating, X-ray examination can be used. This is also a fairly accurate and reliable method.

Early signs of pregnancy in dogs

Any dog owner wants to know as soon as possible whether the mating was successful. An attentive owner will be able to detect pregnancy in the early stages if he observes the behavior of his pet. The dog behaves as usual after mating. The first sign may be a decrease in appetite. Fertilization occurred - the hormonal background began to change. And the dog feels it. The body is under stress. This can be reflected in poor health, lack of appetite, and anxiety.

You won’t believe it, but dogs can get toxicosis too! The body may react to pregnancy with vomiting and diarrhea. This is a temporary phenomenon that will not last long. Provide the animal with comfort and peace. Toxicosis is an early sign of pregnancy. If vomiting appears in the second month, this is a bad sign. In this case, you need to urgently consult a doctor. Changes in behavior may also indicate an “interesting” situation. An active dog can become affectionate and refuse vigorous games in favor of quiet evenings in the company of its owner. Aggression and anxiety may also occur. The animal can worry and react negatively to touch, especially in the back and abdomen.

A dog may become passive if it is frequently overcome by drowsiness. Some expectant mothers can literally sleep all day long. It is very important not to forget that decreased activity and lack of appetite also indicate the onset of the disease. Therefore, if your dog becomes passive and stops eating, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. He will be able to accurately determine whether such behavior is a disease or the whims of the expectant mother. In the second week of pregnancy, changes in the nipples may be observed. They swell and change color.

Signs of false pregnancy in dogs

The phenomenon of false pregnancy is not uncommon in the dog world. It occurs a month after estrus in unmated bitches or in case of unsuccessful mating. In this case, the hormonal background changes in the same way as in a fertilized dog: all the early signs of pregnancy are present. The animal's nipples swell and colostrum is released. The female can set up a den and even treats her toys like puppies. Signs of false pregnancy in dogs usually go away on their own after 2-3 weeks. In some cases, veterinary assistance and hormone therapy may be needed.

Clinical signs

4 weeks after mating, it is already clear whether the dog is pregnant. Hormonal storms will subside, the behavior of your four-legged pet will return to normal. Puppies in the second month of pregnancy are actively growing. The dog's belly begins to round out. She often turns over in her sleep and can lie down on the bedding for a long time. There are signs by which one can judge the normal course of pregnancy. The animal has a good appetite. Moreover, if the expectant mother’s diet is prepared correctly, it is balanced and satisfying, then she will not eat for three. The usual amount of food is enough for her.

The dog protects its belly, allowing only its owner close to it. If the animal has previously had problems with the perception of strangers, then it may become aggressive towards strangers. Many animals don't like their bellies being touched. In addition, uterine tone appears. The abdomen becomes hard and elastic. This protects the growing puppies. The nipples swell, change color and become warm. They can fill with colostrum. Clear mucous discharge may appear from the genitals, especially after urination.

From 25-30 days, the puppies' heartbeat can be listened to with a stethoscope. When you touch the belly, you can feel the babies and their movements. Many veterinarians do not recommend performing an ultrasound before 35-40 days. This gestation period in dogs makes it possible to determine the number of puppies and judge their health.

Palpation

An alternative test is palpation . Cubs can be seen in the womb on days 22-30 of pregnancy. This is the traditional method, which is faster and cheaper.

The only downside is that it must be done by a veterinarian experienced in this procedure. By this date, the bags are too small to be noticed, and subsequently they accumulate more fluid and lose shape, forming a kind of continuum between them all.

Palpation is reliable again towards the end of pregnancy when the puppies are stiff. It should also be noted that palpation may be difficult in bitches who are obese or have a compressed abdomen.

Last weeks of pregnancy

At the end of the second month, the position of the expectant mother is obvious. The belly becomes noticeably rounded and saggy, especially if a lot of puppies are expected. The dog may gain a little weight, and a layer of fat appears on the sides. And that's completely normal. However, if the appetite has increased or the dog has a tendency to be overweight and gluttonous, then a strict diet should be established. Excess weight will not benefit either the mother or the puppies. Therefore, overfeeding the animal is prohibited. Obesity will negatively affect childbirth and subsequently affect the dog's health.

The animal's physical activity during this period is significantly reduced. It’s already hard for her to move, she’s saving her strength before giving birth. If necessary, walking time should be reduced, and in some cases even bowls of food and water should be moved closer to the bed. And provide the animal with peace. If you put your hand on the dog's belly, you can clearly feel the babies' movements.

Caring for a pregnant dog

After the planned mating, without waiting for the first signs of pregnancy to appear in the dog, the owners should begin to rearrange the schedule and diet. The animal's place should be large so that the expectant mother can lie comfortably even with a grown belly. If necessary, the sunbed can be increased. Females in position are more picky about bedding, as it is difficult for them to find a comfortable position. If your four-legged pet begins to refuse any foods, for example, eggs or milk, you should not force it. This can lead to dysbiosis and allergies. Early pregnancy in dogs is the time to take a course of vitamins. Calcium, magnesium, and ascorbic acid are especially necessary. These can be powders or biological additives.

There is no need to limit your pet on walks. The dog itself will understand when it’s time to stop active games. At the same time, it is also important that the expectant mother goes outside. She benefits from sunbathing, which is necessary for metabolism and vitamin synthesis. For a dog in this position, peace is important, so the place should be in a quiet corner where the animal will not be annoyed by excessive attention from children and other pets. Do not let a pregnant bitch lie for a long time on a cold surface: concrete, ground, wet grass. Car trips will also have to be reduced, as many dogs in this position begin to get motion sickness.

Also, a pregnant bitch should be protected as much as possible from jumping, falling, and active games with other animals. Be as careful as possible on stairs and avoid them if possible. Find a veterinarian in advance who will manage the pregnancy and deliver the baby. You can urgently contact him in case of force majeure situations. Pregnancy in small breed dogs is often carried out under close veterinary supervision, as many are unable to give birth on their own and will require surgery. Monitor the condition of the animal. Remember that during pregnancy all diseases worsen and possible health problems make themselves felt. For example, brachycephalics may have difficulty breathing, and large dogs may suffer from joint pain.

How to raise a pregnant dog?

Dogs in this situation often have a deteriorating character. They may become moody. Some stop obeying the owner and following commands. The pet may simply lie down on the ground and refuse to move on. Situations often arise when you need to pick up a dog and put it on its paws. First, make sure that the animal does not become ill. If your breathing is even, your eyes are clear, you can raise it. Never touch your stomach. Place one hand under your chest and support your pelvis with the other. You need to stand the dog on all four paws. Do not let go of your hand until you are sure that she is standing on her own.

Myth No. 1. After mating, the dog begins to eat for two

How do you know if your dog is pregnant? The signs of this condition have varied over decades. During this time, several versions appeared, which were refuted in practice.

This is an absolutely false stereotype. A dog in the first stage of pregnancy does not need additional calories. And actively overfeeding your pet will only lead to the accumulation of fat mass. Vitamins play a big role for her at this stage, which she can easily find on her own.