Suddenly, my dog’s belly is getting bigger. Plus, many of her behaviors have changed. This means that our dog is definitely pregnant! Many new dog parents may not have any experience taking care of a pregnant dog and are not sure if they are taking care of her properly. In order for our dog to give birth safely, what can we, as owners, do? We will tell you the correct way to take care of a pregnant dog for everyone to know!
For those of you who don't know what changes will happen when a dog is pregnant, Dr. Kuncharee Prakalang (Dr. Kook Kai), a veterinarian at the Department of Internal Medicine and the Blood Bank Unit at Taling Chan Animal Hospital, has provided information that after dogs mate and begin to form an embryo, dogs generally take 9 weeks, or about 60-65 days, to carry a pregnancy. After...Begin pregnancy From the day the embryo implants in the uterus, on days 20-24, the mother dog will start to form an umbilical cord. Therefore, in the earlier period, we will not see any changes even though the dog is pregnant.
What changes will occur in dogs during pregnancy?
In early pregnancy, we may not be able to see many obvious changes in dogs. But when the pregnancy reaches 3-4 weeks, dogs will start to experience changes such as:
1. Eat more food, gain weight.
Dogs will gain significant weight because they need more food than usual.
2. Start sleeping more, become calmer, and don't run or jump as much.
Dogs that used to be playful and liked to run around will become more reserved during pregnancy and will become more isolated from people or other dogs.
3. The abdomen and breasts enlarge, and milk drips from the nipples.
As pregnancy begins, the mammary glands of a dog begin to swell and enlarge, becoming darker in color. The base around the nipples widens, and sometimes milk leaks or drips from the nipples.
4. Frequent urination
Because when a dog is pregnant, his uterus will expand and press on his bladder, causing frequent urination.
5. Start digging a hole or cavity.
Some dogs will dig a hole or burrow close to birth to prepare for the birth, but owners can also prepare a place for them to give birth, such as a cloth-lined litter box to help them feel calm and safe.
If anyone finds that their dog has such physical and behavioral changes but is still not sure if their dog is pregnant, they can take their dog to the vet. In addition to helping us know the number of puppies that will be born, it also helps us calculate the delivery date. Every time we go to the doctor, it is like checking the health and readiness of the mother dog. If there are any problems or abnormalities during pregnancy, the doctor will be able to help the mother dog in a timely manner.
Preparing for Dog Birth
Preparing for Dog BirthThere are several things that owners need to do before the birth to ensure that their dog and the puppies are healthy.
1. If you know the mating date, you can calculate the delivery date, which is on average 63 days after mating. If you don't know the exact mating date, ultrasound can help you estimate the delivery date.
2. The dog should be taken for an X-ray close to birth to help determine the number of puppies and to assess the size of the puppies' heads relative to the mother's pelvis. If the puppies' heads are larger than the mother's pelvis, there is a chance that a cesarean section will be required.
3. Take the dog's temperature 4-6 times a day. If the temperature drops to 97-98 degrees Fahrenheit, the dog will give birth within 12-36 hours.
5. Keep the dog in a quiet place before the due date. You should prepare a place for the dog to feel familiar and safe. You can find a large litter box and put a cloth underneath. Then bring the mother dog to get familiar with the place.
byThere are two ways to give birth to a dog. is
1. Natural birth
Owners should closely observe the mother dog's symptoms and behavior and let her give birth naturally, with assistance from us. In addition, leaving the animal at an animal hospital is a good option if the owner cannot take care of the animal close to birth, because there will be a veterinarian to assess and assist.
2. Cesarean section
Caesarean section is popular for some breeds of dogs, but it requires management or good calculation of dates to determine the cesarean section date and consultation with an experienced veterinarian is required because the gestation period in animals is short. If the cesarean section is delayed from the scheduled date, it will affect the development of the puppies. Therefore, an emergency cesarean section is used in cases where the dog cannot give birth naturally.
Pregnant Dog Care and What to Watch Out For
During the period when dogs are pregnant, owners must take care of various things, even the smallest things. But the most important thing to be careful about is medicine or supplements. We should not give medicine or supplements that contain calcium to dogs during pregnancy because it will affect the hormones that control the balance of calcium and phosphorus in the mother dog, which will affect the lactation period. Calcium supplements should only be added when the dog's body is deficient or when milk fever occurs.
Folic Acid supplements can be given to the mother dog, as there are reports that it can help reduce the incidence of cleft palate in puppies. But in reality, it is enough to just feed her the right food, such as formula for nursing mothers, weaning formula, or puppy formula. And the food should be changed when the pregnancy is 6 weeks or more, 3-4 meals per day.
Families who have pregnant dogs should monitor them closely and don't forget to take them to the vet. To ensure that our dogs can get pregnant and give birth safely and for the good health of the puppies that will be born, remember:Give love and care With the new mother dog at home, everyone.
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References
Dr. Kuncharee Prakanlang (Dr. Kukkai), veterinarian at the Department of Internal Medicine and Blood Bank Unit, Talingchan Animal Hospital
Kwanket Kanitthanon. (n.d.). Pregnancy and birth in dogs. Retrieved August 6, 2021, from https://bit.ly/3jFUOAp
SUAREE NOON. (2021). How many months pregnant are dogs? How to observe and observe symptoms of pregnancy in dogs. Retrieved on 6 August 2021 from https://www.jomopetfood.com/dogs/how-long-are-dogs-pregnant/
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