Female Dog Pregnancy Information
General Information
Whelping: The process of a dog giving birth to puppies
Gestation:
The length of pregnancies in dogs is 58 to 68 days, with an average of 63 days, after the initial breeding.
Heat Cycle:
Most dogs come into heat twice per year, or about every 6 months, although the interval can vary between breeds and from dog to dog. Small breed dogs may cycle three times per year, while bigger dog breed may only cycle once every 12 months.
Heat usually last approximately 3 weeks. Early in the cycle, a female dog may not be receptive to male dogs, although some are receptive through the entire cycle. It can be shorter or longer, and you will know the cycle is over when her vulva returns to its' normal size and there is no more bleeding or discharge. DOGS MUST BE OUT OF HEAT FOR 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO SPAYING
Unwanted Pregnancy:
We do not carry any medications for the "morning after pill." We recommend spaying if carrying out the pregnancy to term is not an option you want to take.
Artificial Insemination:
We do not offer AI services at out clinic including collection, storing, or the insemination process.
Whelping: The process of a dog giving birth to puppies
Gestation:
The length of pregnancies in dogs is 58 to 68 days, with an average of 63 days, after the initial breeding.
Heat Cycle:
Most dogs come into heat twice per year, or about every 6 months, although the interval can vary between breeds and from dog to dog. Small breed dogs may cycle three times per year, while bigger dog breed may only cycle once every 12 months.
Heat usually last approximately 3 weeks. Early in the cycle, a female dog may not be receptive to male dogs, although some are receptive through the entire cycle. It can be shorter or longer, and you will know the cycle is over when her vulva returns to its' normal size and there is no more bleeding or discharge. DOGS MUST BE OUT OF HEAT FOR 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO SPAYING
Unwanted Pregnancy:
We do not carry any medications for the "morning after pill." We recommend spaying if carrying out the pregnancy to term is not an option you want to take.
Artificial Insemination:
We do not offer AI services at out clinic including collection, storing, or the insemination process.
Pregnancy Diagnosis
Radiography:
X-rays are one of the most effective ways to determine if your dog is pregnant and can confirm the puppies and give a range for puppy count; however, the skeletons do not show up on x-ray until day 45 as the bones start to mineralize. (counted from the last breeding date). WE RECOMMEND SCHEDULING FOR XRAYS AFTER 53 DAYS TO BE SURE WE GET AN ACCURATE PUPPY COUNT.
X-ray is also a useful tool to confirm that all the puppies have been born after whelping.
Ultrasonography:
Ultrasoung pregnancy confirmation is possible as early as day 28 after breeding (counted from last breeding date) but can be missed this early. Ultrasound after day 35 post breeding is a great diagnostic tool to confirm pregnancy.
Ultrasound has the drawback of not being accurate to count puppies but can determine heartbeats in the puppies.
Progesterone Test:
A quantative progesterone blood test is the single most accurate method for timing breeding. The test is reported as a numeric result interpreted as ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter). Combined with observing the behavior of the dog and vaginal cytology, ovulation can be pinpointed with great accuracy in most female dogs.
***Note that all female dogs have a high level of progesterone for up to two months after their heat cycle, but that level will drop at the end of that time. During the two month interval, this hormone may cause a non-pregnant female to show signs of pregnancy (weight gain, full mammary glands, etc.) and present as a false pregnancy.
Radiography:
X-rays are one of the most effective ways to determine if your dog is pregnant and can confirm the puppies and give a range for puppy count; however, the skeletons do not show up on x-ray until day 45 as the bones start to mineralize. (counted from the last breeding date). WE RECOMMEND SCHEDULING FOR XRAYS AFTER 53 DAYS TO BE SURE WE GET AN ACCURATE PUPPY COUNT.
X-ray is also a useful tool to confirm that all the puppies have been born after whelping.
Ultrasonography:
Ultrasoung pregnancy confirmation is possible as early as day 28 after breeding (counted from last breeding date) but can be missed this early. Ultrasound after day 35 post breeding is a great diagnostic tool to confirm pregnancy.
Ultrasound has the drawback of not being accurate to count puppies but can determine heartbeats in the puppies.
Progesterone Test:
A quantative progesterone blood test is the single most accurate method for timing breeding. The test is reported as a numeric result interpreted as ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter). Combined with observing the behavior of the dog and vaginal cytology, ovulation can be pinpointed with great accuracy in most female dogs.
***Note that all female dogs have a high level of progesterone for up to two months after their heat cycle, but that level will drop at the end of that time. During the two month interval, this hormone may cause a non-pregnant female to show signs of pregnancy (weight gain, full mammary glands, etc.) and present as a false pregnancy.
Labor/Delivery and Aftercare
Preparation:
It is smart to set up a whelping area for your pet about a week prior to whelping. Make sure your area is out of traffic flow around the house, is warm and dry, and contains materials that are able to be cleaned thoroughly.
***Test area out with your pet to make sure she is comfortable and able to get in and out of the area easily. It is important to keep her calm and stress free.
As the estimated due date approaches, we recommend monitoring your pets rectal temperature. Roughly 7 days prior will give you a good reference range of your pets current temperature which will make it easier to identify temperature drop. We recommend taking the temperature 1-2 times a day this should be taken after they have been at rest for at least 20 minutes. Notate the temperatures in case you were to need medical advisement. When the temperature drops below 100°F, labor can be expected in the next 12 to 24 hours.
Labor:
During the first stage of labor, contractions will start and the cervix will begin dilating. At this time, your pet will begin feeling restless with symptoms including panting, pacing, shaking, whining, and digging. Vomiting, diarrhea, and or loss of appetite may occur as well. This first stage lasts roughly 6 to 12 hours which should lead to a full dilation of the cervix. If your pet does not progress into stage 2 of labor within this time, please call us immediately.
The second stage of labor is the hard contractions that result in the birth of the puppies. Keep watch on when this stage starts. You should expect one pup to be born after approximately 20-30 minutes of hard straining. If you do not see any progress within 1 hour after the second stage starts, call us immediately. Puppies are born within the third stage of labor and are born with a thick membrane covering their body. This membrane needs to be removed as it can lead to suffocation. Your pet will lick and bite these membranes away naturally. If she does not clean away the membrane herself, you can simply remove the membrane and rub the puppy with a clean towel. A placenta should pass with each puppy, and your pet will sometimes be inclined to eat them. We recommend not letting her eat the placenta as vomiting is common to follow. You should expect one pup every 45-60 minutes with a 15-30 minute interval of rest between pups. Depending on the litter size, delivery can take upwards to 12 hours. After all the puppies are born, it is normal for your pet to spike a fever in the 24 to 48 hours following birth, but no signs of illness should accompany the spike in temperature. Normal (odorless) vaginal discharge should be expected after birth and may be green or dark red-brown. This may persist up to 8 weeks.
C-Section:
In any case of complication during pregnancy (including prolonged first stage labor, or increased straining, but no pup progression), it is possible that a cesarean section will have to be performed. Depending on breed, the number of pups, or type of complication, c-sections can range from $1200-$1800. During this time, you will need to decide if you would like to spay after puppies are extracted or if you'd like to keep your female intact to breed again.
**WE WILL NOT SCHEDULE THIS PROCEDURE BEFORE LABOR HAS STARTED.
Aftercare:
During the first few days after whelping, make sure your pet is eating and drinking well and having regular bowel movements and urination. Keep her hind end clean as she will be expelling discharge for a while. Make sure the pups are nursing regulalry and watch for agalactia (low or no production of milk). These first few weeks are crucial to keep an eye on as most health problem occur at this time including eclampsia, mastitis, and metritis. Most animals are naturaly great mothers, and problems are usually few. If you notice something is "off" with your pet after whelping, contact us with any questions you may have.
Preparation:
It is smart to set up a whelping area for your pet about a week prior to whelping. Make sure your area is out of traffic flow around the house, is warm and dry, and contains materials that are able to be cleaned thoroughly.
***Test area out with your pet to make sure she is comfortable and able to get in and out of the area easily. It is important to keep her calm and stress free.
As the estimated due date approaches, we recommend monitoring your pets rectal temperature. Roughly 7 days prior will give you a good reference range of your pets current temperature which will make it easier to identify temperature drop. We recommend taking the temperature 1-2 times a day this should be taken after they have been at rest for at least 20 minutes. Notate the temperatures in case you were to need medical advisement. When the temperature drops below 100°F, labor can be expected in the next 12 to 24 hours.
Labor:
During the first stage of labor, contractions will start and the cervix will begin dilating. At this time, your pet will begin feeling restless with symptoms including panting, pacing, shaking, whining, and digging. Vomiting, diarrhea, and or loss of appetite may occur as well. This first stage lasts roughly 6 to 12 hours which should lead to a full dilation of the cervix. If your pet does not progress into stage 2 of labor within this time, please call us immediately.
The second stage of labor is the hard contractions that result in the birth of the puppies. Keep watch on when this stage starts. You should expect one pup to be born after approximately 20-30 minutes of hard straining. If you do not see any progress within 1 hour after the second stage starts, call us immediately. Puppies are born within the third stage of labor and are born with a thick membrane covering their body. This membrane needs to be removed as it can lead to suffocation. Your pet will lick and bite these membranes away naturally. If she does not clean away the membrane herself, you can simply remove the membrane and rub the puppy with a clean towel. A placenta should pass with each puppy, and your pet will sometimes be inclined to eat them. We recommend not letting her eat the placenta as vomiting is common to follow. You should expect one pup every 45-60 minutes with a 15-30 minute interval of rest between pups. Depending on the litter size, delivery can take upwards to 12 hours. After all the puppies are born, it is normal for your pet to spike a fever in the 24 to 48 hours following birth, but no signs of illness should accompany the spike in temperature. Normal (odorless) vaginal discharge should be expected after birth and may be green or dark red-brown. This may persist up to 8 weeks.
C-Section:
In any case of complication during pregnancy (including prolonged first stage labor, or increased straining, but no pup progression), it is possible that a cesarean section will have to be performed. Depending on breed, the number of pups, or type of complication, c-sections can range from $1200-$1800. During this time, you will need to decide if you would like to spay after puppies are extracted or if you'd like to keep your female intact to breed again.
**WE WILL NOT SCHEDULE THIS PROCEDURE BEFORE LABOR HAS STARTED.
Aftercare:
During the first few days after whelping, make sure your pet is eating and drinking well and having regular bowel movements and urination. Keep her hind end clean as she will be expelling discharge for a while. Make sure the pups are nursing regulalry and watch for agalactia (low or no production of milk). These first few weeks are crucial to keep an eye on as most health problem occur at this time including eclampsia, mastitis, and metritis. Most animals are naturaly great mothers, and problems are usually few. If you notice something is "off" with your pet after whelping, contact us with any questions you may have.
Risks
Metritis:
Metritis is commonly know as inflammation of the uterus. This can occur during the first week (usually in the first day or two postpartum) after whelping and can sometimes be caused by a retained puppy, retained placenta, or trauma during delivery. If the delivery was vet assisted (via cesarean section), the risk of metritis is higher. Usual symptoms include fever, foul-smelling discharge, listlessness, loss of appetite, loss of interest in pups, and/or decreased milk production.
Eclampsia:
Eclampsia is a life threatening, medical condition when a nursing mother's blood calcium levels drops at an exponential rate. This condition results when the mother has trouble supporting the calcium demand of lactation. Calcium supplementation during pregnancy predisposes a mother to this condition, with a higher risk in smaller breed dogs regardless of supplementation. Symptoms include restlessness, loss of interest in pups, aggression towards pups, and a siff, painful gait. These symptoms may progress to muscle spasms, inability to stand, fever, and/or seizures. The risk of occurence can be reduced with a high quality diet, ensuring mom is eating well after whelping, and avoiding calcium supplements.
Mastitis:
Mastitis is the inflammation and infection of the mammary glands. Checking the glands after whelping is a good way to monitor mom after whelping as this infection does not cause the female to "act sick." You should expect the glands to be enlarged, but they should be soft. If you notice the glands to be hard, and painful to the touch, she may have diseased glands. Mom may discourage the pups from nursing due to the soreness: howeever, it is important to keep the pups nursing. The milk pridced from the infected glands is not harmful to the pups and nursing helps flush out the infected material. To help with inflammation, hot-packing is helpful. Most cases of mastitis are treated with antibiotics.
In rare cases, mastitis can be caused by bacteria that can cause gas to form in the glands, or the mammary gland tissue can be so damaged that it necroses. Symptoms in this case may include signs of sickness, dark red or black glands, and a "bubbly" sensation under the skin. These types of cases requires significant veteranarian intervention.
Pyometra:
Pyometra (latin for pus-uterus) is a life-threatening infection in the uterus that is a result of hormonal changes in the reproductive tract. This infection is one of the most common reproductive emergencies seen in a veterinary emergency room and most typically affects older, intact, female dogs.
The most common warning signs for this infection start off with lethargy, refusal to eat, vomiting, and/or increased urination. If you notice any of these signs in your intact female, please call our clinic immediately.
Metritis:
Metritis is commonly know as inflammation of the uterus. This can occur during the first week (usually in the first day or two postpartum) after whelping and can sometimes be caused by a retained puppy, retained placenta, or trauma during delivery. If the delivery was vet assisted (via cesarean section), the risk of metritis is higher. Usual symptoms include fever, foul-smelling discharge, listlessness, loss of appetite, loss of interest in pups, and/or decreased milk production.
Eclampsia:
Eclampsia is a life threatening, medical condition when a nursing mother's blood calcium levels drops at an exponential rate. This condition results when the mother has trouble supporting the calcium demand of lactation. Calcium supplementation during pregnancy predisposes a mother to this condition, with a higher risk in smaller breed dogs regardless of supplementation. Symptoms include restlessness, loss of interest in pups, aggression towards pups, and a siff, painful gait. These symptoms may progress to muscle spasms, inability to stand, fever, and/or seizures. The risk of occurence can be reduced with a high quality diet, ensuring mom is eating well after whelping, and avoiding calcium supplements.
Mastitis:
Mastitis is the inflammation and infection of the mammary glands. Checking the glands after whelping is a good way to monitor mom after whelping as this infection does not cause the female to "act sick." You should expect the glands to be enlarged, but they should be soft. If you notice the glands to be hard, and painful to the touch, she may have diseased glands. Mom may discourage the pups from nursing due to the soreness: howeever, it is important to keep the pups nursing. The milk pridced from the infected glands is not harmful to the pups and nursing helps flush out the infected material. To help with inflammation, hot-packing is helpful. Most cases of mastitis are treated with antibiotics.
In rare cases, mastitis can be caused by bacteria that can cause gas to form in the glands, or the mammary gland tissue can be so damaged that it necroses. Symptoms in this case may include signs of sickness, dark red or black glands, and a "bubbly" sensation under the skin. These types of cases requires significant veteranarian intervention.
Pyometra:
Pyometra (latin for pus-uterus) is a life-threatening infection in the uterus that is a result of hormonal changes in the reproductive tract. This infection is one of the most common reproductive emergencies seen in a veterinary emergency room and most typically affects older, intact, female dogs.
The most common warning signs for this infection start off with lethargy, refusal to eat, vomiting, and/or increased urination. If you notice any of these signs in your intact female, please call our clinic immediately.