Care of the Pregnant Dog  

by Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital

HOW CAN I TELL IF SHE'S PREGNANT?

The optimal time to feel puppies in the abdomen is around the 25-30th day of gestation, but even in a small dog or cat, the fetuses can be very difficult to feel and almost impossible to feel in an overweight or large breed dog. X-rays can be taken around 45 days after breeding when the fetal skeletons can be identified. This is helpful for counting the number of fetuses and in some cases, to correlate the size of the fetus with the width of the pelvic canal in anticipation of possible problems during delivery. This often can be done with just one view, and the exposure to radiation is minimal. Ultrasound can detect a fetal heart beat around day 28-30 of gestation and is useful to count the number of fetuses and determine viability.

HOW MANY PUPPIES WILL THERE BE?

In general, the larger the dog, the larger the litter size. Litter size is generally 1-4 puppies in toy breeds while larger breeds can average 8-14 puppies.

WHEN WILL SHE DELIVER THEM?

Because of the variation in the timing of ovulation, multiple breeding dates and the inconsistent length of the heat, it is difficult to precisely know the due date of the litter. While it is usually 63 days from the time of breeding, it can vary from 58-68 days. In general, dogs with larger litters tend to have shorter gestations while dogs with only a few puppies have slightly longer gestations.

SHOULD I GIVE HER MEDICATIONS?

In general, all drugs should be avoided throughout pregnancy and lactation. This is especially true for steroids (even with topically applied medication for ears, eyes and skin), anti-fungal medication and certain antibiotics and any other drugs known to have negative effects on fetuses. The same is true of vaccines, and the mom should be current with all vaccinations BEFORE being bred. Ideally, she should be dewormed for roundworms and hookworms before pregnancy.

Pregnant dogs can be safely treated against roundworms in the latter period of pregnancy, but since this may not eliminate all stages of the worm, the litter should still be treated for these parasites. Pregnant dogs can safely be on monthly heartworm preventative (Heartgard or Interceptor) and monthly flea preventative (Advantage). Frontline/TopSpot is not approved for use in pregnant and lactating dogs.

WHAT SHOULD I FEED HER?

During the first 4 weeks, normal amounts of a good quality commercial dog food is sufficient. By the 5th week, more food can be offered- up to 50% more by the last few weeks and into whelping. She will usually tend to eat small amounts frequently. After birthing, her food intake will be the greatest, and it is best to feed the mom a good quality puppy food to increase the amount of protein and calcium in her diet to keep up with milk production.

About the 4th week into lactation, the quantity of food can be tapered until she is back to normal amounts by the week after weaning (usually when the puppies are 6 weeks of age), and she can gradually be changed back to her adult food. A vitamin supplement (Pet Tabs or Pet Tabs Plus) can be added to her feeding regime, but calcium supplements should be avoided during gestation in most dogs. However, these should be considered for small breed dogs since they can have a calcium deficiency in the latter stages of pregnancy and during lactation.

WHEN SHOULD SHE GET A CHECK UP?

It is a good idea to plan a general health check with your veterinarian around day 30-45 of gestation. An ultrasound can be done in the early stages or an x-ray can be taken later to confirm pregnancy. This should be done since some dogs will be pseudo-pregnant, that is, show all the signs of pregnancy (abdominal distention, nipple enlargement, even milk production) and yet, not be pregnant. Ultrasound and radiographs can also determine the number of puppies and sometimes tell if there may be any complications during delivery. A normal level of exercise, but not strenuous, is recommended for pregnant dogs. It is also a good idea to have mom checked after birthing to ascertain that there are no retained fetuses and evaluate the puppies' health.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE BIRTHING?

In preparation for the big day, a whelping box can be built to provide privacy and a clean, safe environment for the puppies. The box should be large enough to allow mom to stretch out with the young ones; the sides should be high enough to prevent the puppies from jumping out when they become more active later. The wall of the box should have a ledge to prevent mom from accidentally crushing a puppy between herself and the wall. Suitable bedding are towels on top of newspapers. The ideal environmental temperature should be maintained about 75F.

THE BIG DAY!

The dog's temperature can be used as a gauge to anticipate labor. You should start to take her temperature twice daily, starting the week before the due date. Normal body temperature for a dog is between 101-102.5 F. In the period of 10-24 hours before the contractions begin, this can drop below 100 F.

Labor includes 3 stages. Stage 1 lasts 6-12 hours, during which time she may appear nervous, restless, pant, shiver or vomit; she often will seek seclusion. Stage 2 involves cervical dilation and delivery of the puppy. Stage 3 involves expulsion of the placenta.

The length of time of these stages is variable since she may deliver pups over a 2-36 hour period. Usually, a puppy is delivered within 10-30 minutes, and mom may rest up to two hours in between delivering puppies. Some puppies will be born head first; others feet first in a breech position; this is not abnormal and does not seem to complicate delivery.

Usually right after birth, mom will lick the puppies to remove membranes from the face and encourage respiration and will cut the umbilical cord with her teeth. If she doesn't do this within 5 minutes, you should clean the puppies with a towel and tie off the cord ½" from the base with thread and dip the severed cord in Betadine solution. Other than this, the puppies should be handled as little as possible, and mom should deliver and care for the puppies in a quiet environment.

WHEN SHOULD I WORRY?

A complicated birth is considered likely when 30-60 minutes of strong abdominal contractions occur without successfully expelling a puppy, or after the birth of a puppy, more than 4-6 hours pass before another birth.

If mom fails to deliver puppies within 24 hours after the drop in rectal temperature, or if mom has a prolonged gestation, lasting 65 days past breeding, medical attention is required. In any of these cases, your veterinarian should be contacted.

While most deliveries will occur without complications, certain breeds will have more problems with delivery. Many of the "flat faced" breeds such as Boston Terriers, Bulldogs and Pugs have body types that complicate birthing. Nervous individuals of miniature and small breeds may have complicated deliveries. This may necessitate a C-section where the puppies are delivered surgically if there is no response to medical management (intravenous fluids, administration of oxytocin and/or calcium) or if the fetus cannot physically pass through the uterine canal.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT?

If mom becomes ill within 3-7 days after whelping (lethargic, fever, foul-smelling vaginal discharge), this may be a sign of a uterine infection.

After delivery, especially in small breed dogs, restlessness, panting, stiffness of gait, incoordination, muscle spasms, even seizures, can be signs of low calcium levels in the blood.

Swollen, red and painful mammary glands can be a sign of infection (mastitis). Any of these conditions warrant immediate veterinary care.

HOW DO I PERMANENTLY PREVENT FUTURE PREGNANCIES?

If she is not to be bred again, it is recommended to spay your dog about 3 weeks after weaning, allowing for sufficient drying up of the mammary glands. There is no safe way of medically preventing heats or inducing abortions once breeding occurs. For avoidance of unwanted pregnancies and for the prevention of mammary tumors and uterine infections, it is recommended that female dogs be spayed.

The earlier a female dog is spayed, the better it is for prevention of future occurrence of mammary tumors. A female dog doesn't need to experience heats or have a litter to be psychologically or physically healthy. Male dogs should be neutered to avoid unwanted pregnancies, aggression, territorial tendencies, tendency to wander and prostatic disease (infections, inflammation, benign enlargement).

DON'T FORGET THE PUPPIES

If dewclaws are to be removed or tails to be docked (to conform to AKC standards for some purebreds), this should be done within 1-3 days after birth. Usually, they are done under local anesthesia. Ear cropping is not done by our veterinarians. All the puppies should all be examined for any congenital problems (the presence of hernias, murmurs, cleft palates etc), and they should be started on their vaccination series between 6-8 weeks of age and are to be treated for intestinal worms at this time.

If you have any problems or questions about mom or the puppies, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian.

The above is general veterinary information. Do not begin any course of treatment without consulting your regular veterinarian. All animals should be examined at least once every 12 months.