How to find out that a dog is pregnant at home (toy terrier)

A dog's pregnancy is an important stage in its life and a rather troublesome time for owners. At this moment, a lot changes in the pet’s body. From the moment of fertilization until birth, nature has allocated only nine weeks to the dog, and despite the fact that toy terriers are pregnant for a fairly short period of time, their body still experiences stress and global restructuring.

It is in our power to make sure that this difficult period, filled with the expectation of offspring, proceeds easily and without complications, and the baby brings healthy and beautiful puppies at the right time. This article describes in detail how the pregnancy of a toy terrier proceeds.

Main signs of pregnancy

It is quite difficult at first to determine whether a bitch is pregnant or whether the mating did not produce results. Only in isolated cases does the dog show drowsiness and increased thirst after the first week. In the rest, you can rely only on time or do an ultrasound in a veterinary clinic (it is carried out no earlier than 24 days after mating).

As pregnancy progresses, an attentive owner can already observe signs in the pet that indicate the development of embryos. Let's name some signs:

1. At 3-4 weeks, the dog’s appetite may change; it will either eat more or, on the contrary, refuse food. The latter is associated with toxicosis.
2. Late pregnancy is characterized by swelling and darkening of the nipples and the release of colostrum.

Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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You need to understand that a dog can exhibit such signs even during a false pregnancy. It is recommended to accurately find out about your pet's condition using an ultrasound scan.

How to determine the beginning?

The day before giving birth, the bitch’s temperature drops to 36 degrees, and the puppies seem to freeze .

Just before labor begins, the dog becomes very anxious. She looks for a place for a “den,” digs the bedding, whines and seeks help from the owner. At this time, amniotic fluid may begin to leak, which is a viscous substance of a pale yellow hue.

Many bitches refuse to eat before giving birth, but continue to drink water.

At the same time, you need to make sure that during the last walk before mating, no other males approach the bitch.

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False pregnancy

Most experts believe that false pregnancy is not a disease. This is a special condition of the animal that does not require mandatory treatment if it is not too acute and does not annoy the pet itself. By the way, the reasons for this phenomenon are not yet completely clear. Some believe that the following are to blame for false pregnancy (and up to 60 percent of all bitches are susceptible to this):

• purulent diseases such as pyometra and metritis;
• irregular breeding activity;
• features of hormone production.

However, modern research suggests that false pregnancy is a natural way of preserving the species, according to which a non-pregnant bitch can, if necessary, feed the puppies of another female, replacing their mother.

In any case, if such a false pregnancy is not aggravated, you need to calmly wait until the change in the dog’s behavior and other symptoms pass. To make this happen as quickly as possible, it is advised to take away toys from the pet, which he perceives at this moment as his puppies, thereby reducing the natural stimulus for lactation.

Important! If false pregnancy occurs regularly, and the female does not have any breeding value, then it is better to sterilize her. This will protect the dog from possible cancer.

How to care for a pregnant toy terrier

The course of pregnancy very much depends on the care of the dog. First of all, this applies to feeding.

Diet

Conventionally, a dog’s pregnancy can be divided into two stages. Nutrition at these moments is slightly different. So, in the first phase you should not increase it, even if the dog begins to ask for more. The initial weeks are associated with toxicosis; at this time the bitch does not want to look at food. It is not advisable to force feed her, so as not to provoke vomiting. There is another extreme: excessive appetite, which should also not be encouraged. After all, objectively, at first, puppies in the womb gain weight very slowly, and therefore excessive nutrition is fraught with obesity. And it is unsafe at any stage: the bitch may not give birth.

So, we feed a pregnant dog up to 5 weeks, as before, with natural food or feed. If your pet doesn’t eat well, treat her to something unusual, for example, lean raw meat, if she previously ate boiled meat, or give her fish instead of meat. By the way, even when feeding with ready-made formulas, veterinarians recommend offering your pet some cottage cheese and meat during pregnancy.

In the second part of the term, feeding becomes more varied. Food intake will be in small portions, 4-5 times a day. On average, the diet in the second half of pregnancy increases by a third, and after 6 weeks it doubles. Include dairy products and protein in your diet. During this period, switch dogs receiving ready-made food to puppy food. From the 8th week, try to reduce the protein content of food by replacing meat with fish and eggs. Before giving birth, stop giving protein foods completely for a couple of days.

Important! During pregnancy, it is contraindicated to push, so as not to provoke early labor. Therefore, make sure that your pet does not have problems with stool.

Do you need minerals and vitamins?

Phosphorus, vitamin D and calcium are a set of the most necessary substances during this period. Plus folic acid and omega-3 fatty acids. An excess of calcium is dangerous; a deficiency will lead to problems in the development of the fetus. Therefore, if a dog takes high-quality, balanced food, then it already contains everything it needs, and there is no reason to worry. But if the food is dry, some substances decompose when exposed to light (the same fatty acids), so wet food is preferable.

For a dog that is on a natural diet, it is recommended to add parsley, lettuce, sweet pepper (vitamin B), and cottage cheese to the food. But the easiest way out is to buy a ready-made vitamin complex for pregnant bitches. Today there are ready-made drugs of good quality on sale that will solve this problem.

Walking and stress on the body

Care during pregnancy involves frequent and leisurely walks. Do not allow the dog to frolic with the same intensity, jump from heights and do not allow heavy loads. You need to walk a lot, but wisely and carefully.

Nutrition for a pregnant dog

A change in appetite is quite normal for a pregnant dog. She may start eating vegetables, even if she was previously completely indifferent to them, or she may temporarily give up the food she loved.

To provide your dog with adequate nutrition, you don’t need to limit its diet; you can even offer it to try fruits, milk and low-fat cheeses. Buy a vitamin complex if your dog eats exclusively natural foods. Remember that a dog needs vitamins from the first days of pregnancy!

A deficiency of any vitamins has a bad effect on the formation of the puppy’s organs. If your dog eats exclusively dry food, be sure to switch it to food intended for puppies; it contains significantly more essential vitamins; dry food should be put aside.

How long does pregnancy last (calendar by week)

It is impossible to say absolutely exactly how long your toy terrier’s pregnancy will last. The exact duration of pregnancy depends on the dog’s body and, of course, on the correct timing. A normal pregnancy lasts 60-62 days. Puppies carried to 72 days also survive, as do those born after 58 days.

Advice! If nursing for up to 72 days or more, find a veterinarian. It is possible that the dog itself will not be able to give birth, so a caesarean section will be required.

Now about what the pregnancy calendar is.

First two weeks

In the first and second weeks you will not notice any visible changes. At this time, the dog should not be given medications, including deworming medications, as embryonic organs are being laid down.

Second two weeks

By the end of the third - beginning of the fourth week, the bitch’s belly begins to grow in width, and lumps can be felt in it. At this time, an ultrasound is performed. There may be a little mucus released from the loop, and the nipples swell.

From the fifth to the ninth week

This is a fairly long period in which the following happens:

1. In the fifth week, weight is gained, and the volume of amniotic fluid also increases.
2. Week 6 – noticeable darkening and enlargement of the nipples, the animal’s weight is increasing daily.
3. Week 7 – the fur on your pet’s tummy begins to shed. This is normal - the dog is preparing for childbirth.
4. Week 8 - the first movement of the fetus in the womb. The beginning of colostrum release.
5. Week 9 - the animal is worried and begins to prepare the place. The overall temperature decreases slightly.

Note! Pregnancy and childbirth are a natural and normal process, but at this moment the immune system may weaken, and therefore any draft, illness or stress can be detrimental to the fetus.

How does pregnancy progress by day (table)

Preparing for childbirth at home

The first birth of a toy terrier can be complicated, so it is advisable not to leave the dog, to be nearby in order to provide assistance in time.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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What should you do in advance? Select a convenient place for childbirth, provide disposable diapers and clean cloths - it is advisable to wipe each baby with a separate cloth or diaper. Keep hydrogen peroxide, bandages, iodine on hand. Kids will need a small rubber heating pad.

Possible problems

During childbirth, especially the first, problems may arise. Just in case, it’s worth preparing Vaseline, noshpa in ampoules, calcium gluconate and cordiamine.

Childbirth process

Just before labor begins, the dog's temperature drops. The bitch begins to worry and lick the noose, her breathing quickens, and the color of her discharge changes. Soon the waters break, and after a quarter of an hour or a little more the first puppy is born. If after two hours the puppy does not appear, this is an alarm signal.

Helping puppies during birth

It is usually advised to inject the dog with calcium gluconate at this point. The dosage is calculated according to the scheme for 10 kg - 2 ml of medicine. After this, let the pet move, walk around a little, and in the meantime the puppies will take the correct position in the womb. If this does not help, call the veterinarian or take the animal to the clinic to avoid sad consequences.

When a dog is ready to give birth, movement begins in the stomach: the puppies move. This is noticeable even visually. The muscles tense, and one by one the puppies begin to walk along the birth canal - the second stage of labor has begun.

There is no need to help the puppies to be born; inexperienced movements can damage the baby's paw. When the first, largest puppy from the litter is born, wipe it down and clean out mucus from its mouth and nose. Air must enter the lungs. As soon as the baby makes the first squeak, you should put it to the mother's nipple.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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If the baby is not breathing, open his mouth and drop cordiamin on his tongue. If there is no medicine, immediately heat the water and alternately immerse the baby in warm or hot water. This will be a kind of stimulation and resuscitation of the newborn.

The second puppy should be born in half an hour or later, with an interval of up to 2 hours.

As for the umbilical cord, it is advisable not to cut it, but to tear it off, then there will be less blood loss. If the bleeding does not stop, tie the umbilical cord with a clean, or better yet, boiled thread. In a few days it will fall off on its own.

The placenta, or placenta, is usually delivered immediately after each pup is born. If it gets stuck, you can pull it a little to prevent it from being pulled back.

Important! Check the number of puppies and placenta very carefully. The placenta left in the mother's body can cause blood poisoning and death of the dog!

After the last puppy arrives, all rags need to be replaced. The bedding must be warm and clean so that the puppies and mother can be placed on it. The room should be quiet, dark and without drafts, so that the kids do not catch a cold and they feel comfortable and quiet.

Helping a dog during labor

Just before the process of giving birth, the bitch’s temperature usually drops. She begins to behave restlessly and constantly licks the noose. Her breathing changes, and soon her water breaks. This process can continue for a quarter of an hour, and then the first puppy is born.

After the head appears, you can help the dog and gently accept the puppy in the palm of your hand. Then you need to tear the membrane near his nose. By pulling the placenta by the umbilical cord, you need to pull it out and milk the liquid. If you had to cut the umbilical cord with scissors and bleeding began, it should be clamped with forceps for a few minutes.

With the second and third puppies, all manipulations must be repeated. At the end of the birth, the number of puppies and their afterbirths should be counted.

Births of a toy terrier

False pregnancy is not considered a disease. If this condition does not occur in an acute form and does not annoy the pet itself, specific therapy is not required. It is necessary to wait until changes in the dog’s behavior and other symptoms go away on their own. To speed up this process, experienced veterinarians recommend removing for a while all toys that the bitch perceives as her puppies. In this way, the natural stimulus for lactation can be reduced.

The first day of insemination should be taken as the beginning of pregnancy, although in most bitches mated on the 10-12th day of estrus, fertilization of the egg occurs on the 3-4th day after mating. The fact is that sperm can live for several days in the genitals of a bitch before they fertilize the egg. The average duration of pregnancy is 62 days, but the gestation period can vary from 58 to 68 days. The duration of gestation depends on age, size, number of fetuses, feeding and many other factors. Pregnancy in small dog breeds proceeds in the same way as in all others. The owner must count 58 days from the mating date and remember the resulting calendar date - starting from this day, the dog’s contractions can begin at any time. If pregnancy lasts more than 70 days, you should immediately consult a veterinarian.

If your dog eats dry food, then from the first day of pregnancy you need to switch it to a special diet for pregnant and lactating bitches. You can use food for small breed puppies - just like special food for pregnant women, it contains an increased amount of easily digestible proteins and is enriched with all the necessary vitamins, minerals and trace elements. The food should only be of high quality! The bitch should always have access to clean drinking water. There is no need to add any vitamins to the diet, because an excess is just as dangerous as a deficiency (for example, an excess of vitamin A in a female dog’s body can lead to fetal deformity).

PREPARATION FOR CHILDREN Usually, giving birth in dogs begins two months after mating, but the owner must prepare for this wonderful event in advance.

PLACE FOR PUPPIES The box where the puppies will live for the first month should be of such a size that the bitch can easily turn over in it, stand up to her full height, and stretch out in all directions so that there is still room for the puppies. The box should have no top (instead of a “roof,” a diaper is placed on top and secured to the cardboard with clothespins). The entrance to the “den” must be cut at such a height from the floor that the bitch can easily enter inside, and the puppies cannot crawl out. A mattress is laid at the bottom of the box, which is “packed” in a plastic bag, and on top of the bag - in a soft, thick pillowcase. The box should not be too large, since in a spacious “den” it is more difficult to maintain the optimal temperature.

WHAT WILL BE NEEDED DURING BIRTH Childbirth in dogs (if everything goes well, without complications, the bitch is strong, and the puppies are not too large) is a process that does not require drastic human intervention. However, the owner must help the bitch, especially if this is the dog’s first birth, since an inexperienced mother sometimes does not immediately understand what she needs to do. Before the procedure, you must cut your nails short, wash and disinfect your hands. To help your pet you will need the following items: • oilcloth and sheet/absorbent diapers, which you will place under the giving birth bitch; • sterile surgical gloves 2-3 pairs; • a regular heating pad (preferably electric); • small syringe; • a small box where you will put the newborn puppies; • a basin to put dirty used diapers in; • regular thermometer; • room thermometer; • tray; • pipettes, scissors, tweezers (sterilized by boiling with the lid closed for at least 5 minutes); • insulin and regular syringes (2 and 5 ml each) 5 pcs.; • cotton wool; • sterile gauze wipes; • soft diapers 40x40, 25x25cm, can be made from old bed linen, after washing it and steaming it with an iron; • surgical silk thread (or catgut), cut into pieces 10-15 cm, put in alcohol or vodka, may be needed for tying the umbilical cord; • notepad for recording data on childbirth; • a clock to determine the time of birth of puppies and track the dynamics of childbirth; • scales; • pen-pencil; • colorful wool threads to mark the puppies. For medications you will need: • medical alcohol or vodka; • glucose 5% in ampoules; • syntomycin ointment 10%; • hydrogen peroxide; • brilliant green; In case of premature birth, if there is no doctor nearby, injections may be needed, for which you need to have the following drugs: • calcium gluconate • oxytocin • Vicasol • no-spa • diphenhydramine • saline • dexamethasone • sulfocamphocaine (cordiamine) • analgin • vitamin B12

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. Any medications can be used only as directed by a veterinarian, but they should be in the first aid kit so that the owner can help the dog in an emergency while the doctor is traveling or while the giving birth bitch is being taken to the clinic.

SIGNS OF LABOR IN A DOG

Traditionally, there are 3 stages: 1. preparatory stage (opening of the birth canal) 2. labor pains 3. birth of puppies and release of placenta

1. During the preparatory period, the birth canal opens and the body prepares for the birth of puppies. The first symptoms of approaching labor are usually expressed by changes in behavior. The bitch begins to show anxiety, rushes around the house, digs with her paws on the floor and her bedding, and sometimes tries to hide in a dark place. She cannot stay in one place for a long time; she either lies down, gets up, or spins around. Some dogs become very affectionate with their owner, follow on his heels and look into his eyes in a special, “expectant” way. Sometimes a bitch may start asking to go outside, but as soon as you take her out, she immediately returns home. Some dogs lose their appetite before giving birth, others, on the contrary, may want to eat, and sometimes the bitch vomits. If any of these signs appear, you need to caress her, talk to her, and calm her down. The owner's support is extremely important, especially if this is the dog's first birth! The change in behavior and anxiety of the dog before childbirth is caused by an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. The very first contractions of the uterus at this stage are not yet strong and rare, they cannot be noticed. However, the dog is already beginning to experience unpleasant pain, which is not yet too intense. In addition to behavioral changes, there are a number of physiological symptoms of approaching labor. 4-5 days before, the pregnant dog’s belly seems to “sag” downwards, which is why, if you look at the dog from above from the tail, it appears thinner, and “hungry” pits appear on the sides. However, dogs giving birth for the first time may not show these signs. An important indicator that a dog will soon begin labor is its body temperature. As a rule, 8-24 hours before birth it drops to 37.5 - 37⁰C (remember that the normal temperature in a dog is on average 38-39⁰C). Also, shortly before the dog begins to give birth, the puppies, which were previously moving and pushing in her stomach, suddenly freeze. A few hours before giving birth, the dog’s loop softens, a sticky thick discharge of a whitish or grayish color appears - this is the so-called “plug”. The bitch begins to tremble, chills, and has rapid breathing and heart palpitations. All these signs indicate that the “process” has already started and, if everything is in order, labor will begin in the next 24 hours.

The preparatory stage of childbirth can last from 2-3 to 24 hours. If it lasts longer than a day, and contractions do not start, you need to urgently contact a veterinarian!

The second stage of labor in dogs begins with an increase in the intensity of labor contractions. To the contractions themselves, that is, the contraction of the uterus, pushing (contraction of the abdominal muscles) is added. If a bitch gives birth in a special box, then at this moment she lies on her side, and with each attempt she presses her paws against one wall, firmly pressing her croup and back to the other. The contractions of the uterus at this stage are easy to track: place your hand on the bitch’s stomach, and you will feel how the uterus hardens after each contraction and then relaxes. Usually dogs give birth in a lying position, on their right side, but some puppies while standing. In the intervals between attempts, the dog, relaxed, breathes heavily, her gaze becomes absent, and during intense contractions, some bitches may even scream.

Before the puppy is born, the dog's water breaks. To understand the mechanism underlying this phenomenon, you should know that the development of a puppy in the womb occurs in a two-layer membrane. The external (water) bladder, filled with a jelly-like liquid, serves as protection against compression of the umbilical cord and the embryo itself from external mechanical influences and compression. When a dog goes into labor, the water bladder ruptures and the fluid leaking out flows out, washing the birth canal. The outer bladder usually ruptures spontaneously or is ruptured by the bitch. Before bursting, it may appear from the loop several times and disappear. Do not confuse it with the amniotic sac in which the puppy is born, and under no circumstances should you rupture the sac yourself. Determining whether a bubble is coming or whether a puppy is already being born is quite simple: feel the bitch’s crotch above the loop. Usually there is a noticeable “swelling” of sorts. If a water bubble occurs, the area will be soft to the touch, but the puppy will feel like something hard. The maximum interval between the rupture of the outer bladder and the appearance of the first puppy should not exceed three hours. If everything goes well, then after the water breaks, the attempts will become more intense, their duration will increase, and they will begin to alternate with contractions. If 2-2.5 hours have passed since the onset of contractions and the first puppy has not appeared, urgent assistance from a veterinarian is needed: this situation is considered a complication during childbirth and is fraught with the death of the mother and part of the litter.

Helping a dog during childbirth: releasing the puppy from the membranes.

After the outer bladder has been released and ruptured, the dog usually rests for a while: it needs to gain strength before the decisive moment when the most powerful, exhausting and painful contractions will push the first puppy out of the birth canal. The hardest thing for a bitch is to push the puppy’s shoulders through the pelvic opening, after which he easily comes out. Puppies are usually born in either a posterior (tail first) or anterior (face first) presentation, both of which are considered normal. Each puppy is born in the amniotic sac, that very second, internal “bubble”. As soon as the puppy is completely out of the birth canal, it is necessary to release it from the amniotic sac as quickly as possible so that the baby can begin to breathe. Contrary to popular belief, bitches do not always do this themselves, however, if the dog begins to remove the shell, do not interfere with it. Sometimes the bladder ruptures on its own during the birth process, but more often the puppy has to be released from it after birth. A healthy puppy begins to breathe immediately after the membranes are removed; at first the breathing is shallow, but in just a few seconds it normalizes. A bad sign is if the puppy breathes through his mouth or does not breathe or move at all, or is born without a membrane, covered in green liquid or blood - in this case, it is necessary to empty his mouth and nose as quickly as possible, and in some cases, suck out the liquid from respiratory tract by mouth. This needs to be done as quickly as possible so that oxygen begins to flow into the puppy’s lungs in the first seconds after birth.

After the amniotic membrane is ruptured, it is necessary to separate the umbilical cord. Breeders often disagree on whether the dog should be helped with the separation of the umbilical cord or whether it should do it itself. As a rule, if the dog is not whelping for the first time and bites the umbilical cord itself, there is no need to interfere with it (however, make sure that it does not pull the umbilical cord after it has bitten it - this can lead to the formation of an umbilical hernia in the puppy). Problems with biting the umbilical cord most often occur in round-headed dogs (Pekingese, bulldog), representatives of dwarf breeds, as well as breeds with poor teeth. If the dog, due to its disproportionate build, cannot reach the loop, it also needs help. An inexperienced bitch needs to be supervised - sometimes she, tearing the membrane and gnawing the umbilical cord, does not handle the puppies carefully enough. Whether the bitch gnaws the umbilical cord or the owner separates it, in any case, this must be done quickly, preventing the puppy from starting to crawl with an unbroken umbilical cord, in order to avoid the appearance of an umbilical hernia. To separate the umbilical cord yourself, carefully pick it up in your hands and “push” the blood in it towards the puppy. Grab the umbilical cord with the index and thumb of one hand 2-3 cm from the puppy’s tummy, and with the same fingers of the other hand 2-3 cm from the place of the first grip. Keeping the far hand completely motionless, with the hand that is closer to the puppy, pull it towards him - as a rule, it immediately breaks. Unlike cutting the umbilical cord with scissors, this method helps prevent bleeding. If you nevertheless had to cut the umbilical cord and blood appears, tie the umbilical cord with a pre-prepared silk thread, which is placed in a jar of alcohol or vodka before birth. Under no circumstances should you treat the wound with iodine!

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Separation of placenta during childbirth in dogs

During normal labor, the placenta comes out immediately after the puppy is born. Sometimes the afterbirth is pushed out by the exit of the next puppy. It is extremely important to ensure that the number of afterbirths released is equal to the number of puppies born: afterbirth or parts thereof remaining in the birth canal can cause inflammation of the uterus (metritis), which is fatal for the bitch. The release of the placenta is especially often delayed after the birth of the last puppy. If there is even the slightest suspicion that not all of the placenta has come out, the dog must be examined by a veterinarian. To count the afterbirths, they can be placed in a separate basin. Sometimes a bitch eats some of the afterbirth, there is nothing wrong with that, the main thing is to carefully monitor their quantity. The birth of puppies and the delivery of the placenta is a rather messy process. The dog should not be allowed to lie in the mud - be sure to change the bedding after each puppy is born and after the birth of the placenta.

THE FIRST MINUTES OF PUPPIES' LIFE

Most often, puppies are born at intervals of 15-30 minutes. (But, in large breeds, if the litter is large, sometimes 4-6 puppies will appear one after another, after which there will be a break of 1-2 hours. If there are more than ten puppies in the litter, the birth can last a whole day, and sometimes longer) . When delivering a dog, be sure to keep records. Each puppy must be weighed and information about weight and time of birth must be entered in a prepared notebook. The records also include the order in which the puppies were born, gender, color, and any features in the puppy’s appearance.

An example of a record for the birth of puppies: 1) 21:05, fawn male. 900 grams, small white spot on chest; 2) 21:25 red female, 860 grams, white front legs, round white spot on chest... etc.

Each puppy, freed from the amniotic sac and umbilical cord, is intensively licked by the bitch and roughly turned over, pushing with her nose. There is no need to disturb her - these manipulations stimulate the babies' breathing and blood circulation, and also promote the first release of feces. Some puppies find their way to the nipples on their own, others need to be placed close to them. The first born puppy, after being freed from the membrane and umbilical cord and weighed, should be placed next to its mother as quickly as possible - sucking speeds up the birth process, promoting contraction of the uterus. Ingesting colostrum also stimulates the puppy's intestines, promoting the release of meconium (the first stool), which is a sticky black mass. It is important that the puppy’s first bowel movement occurs as soon as possible - without this, the normal digestion process will not start. If the puppy was born weak and feces do not come out naturally, you can help him by massaging his tummy and anus with a piece of damp cotton wool.

If one or more puppies are stuck in the birth canal, especially after the water bladder has burst, you should not hope that everything will resolve itself - qualified medical assistance is necessary, otherwise both mother and cubs may die.

After the amniotic membrane is ruptured, it is necessary to separate the umbilical cord. Breeders often disagree on whether the dog should be helped with the separation of the umbilical cord or whether it should do it itself. As a rule, if the dog is not whelping for the first time and bites the umbilical cord itself, there is no need to interfere with it (however, make sure that it does not pull the umbilical cord after it has bitten it - this can lead to the formation of an umbilical hernia in the puppy). Problems with biting the umbilical cord most often occur in round-headed dogs (Pekingese, bulldog), representatives of dwarf breeds, as well as breeds with poor teeth. If the dog, due to its disproportionate build, cannot reach the loop, it also needs help. An inexperienced bitch needs to be supervised - sometimes she, tearing the membrane and gnawing the umbilical cord, does not handle the puppies carefully enough. Whether the bitch gnaws the umbilical cord or the owner separates it, in any case, this must be done quickly, preventing the puppy from starting to crawl with an unbroken umbilical cord, in order to avoid the appearance of an umbilical hernia. To separate the umbilical cord yourself, carefully pick it up in your hands and “push” the blood in it towards the puppy. Grab the umbilical cord with the index and thumb of one hand 2-3 cm from the puppy’s tummy, and with the same fingers of the other hand 2-3 cm from the place of the first grip. Keeping the far hand completely motionless, with the hand that is closer to the puppy, pull it towards him - as a rule, it immediately breaks. Unlike cutting the umbilical cord with scissors, this method helps prevent bleeding. If you nevertheless had to cut the umbilical cord and blood appears, tie the umbilical cord with a pre-prepared silk thread, which is placed in a jar of alcohol or vodka before birth. Under no circumstances should you treat the wound with iodine!

The best age for the first mating of a male dog will be from 1.5 years of age, since earlier matings will negatively affect the still fragile psyche of the future sire.

It is recommended to untie a toy terrier bitch on her third heat: by this time, a girl of this breed will not only have time to fully develop and get stronger, but also win show titles.

A toy terrier girl should be untied at about two years of age, and it is necessary that the weight of the future breeder be at least 2 kg.

How many puppies can a toy terrier have?

The quantity largely depends on the size of the knot. It is believed that this breed gives birth to a litter of 2-4 puppies, but a large dog can give birth to five babies. But it is generally undesirable for a small dog (up to 2 kg) to give birth; it simply will not be able to bear a new life.

Many people are afraid of their pet's birth. In fact, this is a completely normal process and there is no need to be afraid. And yet you need to keep the most necessary things at hand, and most importantly, be able to turn to an experienced breeder or veterinarian for help if something happens.

Useful video

From the video you will learn how a toy terrier gives birth:

Owners of a bitch know how important it is to maintain proper conditions for the puppy so that both the expectant mother and her children feel good. The smaller the breed, the more carefully you need to handle it. Pregnancy of a toy terrier requires constant attention to the bitch and a restructuring of the owners' lifestyle for the next 3 months, taking into account the birth itself and the first days of independent life for newborn puppies.