Is She Pregnant?

Common Indicators:  Nipple Enlargement

                                   Increased Appetite

                                   Personality Changes

                                   Slightly Enlarged Vulva

                                   Morning Sickness

NOW NO ONE IS SURE THE FIRST 3 WEEKS, IT IS A GUESSING GAME?

                THE ANSWER IS MOST LIKELY......YES~

Gestation normally lasts 9 weeks (63 days).  However, puppies may be delivered between  58 and 68 days.

 Lets get back to the story.  You guessed it.  I had a real hard time keeping Pepe away from Cookie 24/7. Cookie lifted her tail on day 10 of her cycle and I became a Grandmother.   I know, I know, I didn't mean to be a bad mother, Cookie became pregnant in her first heat.  I had to educate myself real fast on mommy prenatal care and birthing babies.

      Gestation General Information:

Gestation is the period when the young are developing in the mother’s uterus.  In dogs, gestation normally lasts 9 weeks (63 days).  However, puppies may be delivered between 58 and 68 days. 

The earliest possible time of diagnosis may be 26-35 days after breeding, when the veterinarian may be able to detect pregnancy by feeling the abdomen.  Diagnosis by radiographs (x-rays) is usually possible after 45 days.

During the first 5 weeks of pregnancy, there are few noticeable changes. After the fifth week, you may notice weight gain especially with large litters.  If only 1 or 2 puppies are present, the mother may gain little weight until shortly before birth.  Abdominal enlargement is generally obvious in the last 3 weeks.
The mammary glands may begin to enlarge as early as the 35th day, but usually development is not obvious until 45 days.  Milk may be present as early as 7-9 days before delivery, but it is usually not produced until 1-2 days before delivery.

During pregnancy, the female dog may show a change in behavior, especially in the last few weeks.  As the uterus enlarges with the developing puppies, your dog may become restless, seek seclusion and in the last few days, soil the house.  She may shred papers, blankets, or bedding in an attempt at "nest building" in the last few weeks.  During the last 2 weeks, your dog may become irritable and should avoid contact with small children.

 The mother's food consumption will often reach 1 1/2 times her level before pregnancy. By the end of the nursing period, it may exceed two times the pre-pregnancy amount. Do not withhold food; increasing the number of feedings per day is helpful in allowing her to eat enough for her needs and those of the puppies.

                      Continue to Fetal development