Pregnancy Calendar for Dogs

Date:

Tue 15 Jan 2013

Sire:

Vassruggens Vade Brand "ODIN"

Dam:

Whispering Oaks Golden Paws "Gibbs"

Breeder:

Mrs. Boukje Eekma

Tue 15 Jan 2013

• First day of mating.
• 48 hours after the first mating the bitch should be mated again. Subsequent matings occurring over a period of time enhance the chances of fertilaziton taking place.
• The spermatozoa migrate up through the cervix.

Wed 16 Jan 2013

• Sperm travel searching for a mature ripened eggs.

Wed 16 Jan 2013 -
Thu 17 Jan 2013

• Spermatozoa reach the eggs in the oviducts.

Thu 17 Jan 2013 -
Fri 18 Jan 2013

• Fertilisation occurs in the oviducts which lead from the ovaries to the uterus.

Fri 18 Jan 2013 -
Sun 20 Jan 2013

• Fertilised eggs migrate down the oviducts and into the uterine horns.
• The migration continue to enable even spacing of the embryos.
• During this migration the eggs will grow into a blastocystes.

Sat 26 Jan 2013 -
Mon 28 Jan 2013

• The blastocystes implant in the wall of the uterus.

Sat 26 Jan 2013 -
Sat 9 Feb 2013

• The blastocystes will grow into an embryos.
• During the next two weeks the important organs will develop.

Tue 29 Jan 2013 -
Tue 5 Feb 2013

• Dams nipples begin to pink enlarge.
• The fur on the dams belly and around the nipples may become thinner.

Mon 4 Feb 2013 -
Mon 11 Feb 2013

• Morning sickness might occur due to hormonal changes or stretching and distension of the uterus. Dam may appear a bit apathetic. She may be off her feed for a while and vomit from time to time.
• Feeding the dam several meals spaced throughout the day might help.
• Your veterinarian may want to prescribe a drug to relax the uterus.

Sat 9 Feb 2013 -
Wed 13 Feb 2013

• An experienced person (a breeder or a veterinarian) can tell by careful palpation whether the dam is pregnant.
• It's now the best time to do this because the embryos are walnut-sized now and easy to count.

Tue 12 Feb 2013

• Start to increase the dams food ration.
• Don't overfeed, excessive weight gain should be avoided.
• The foetuses are now and are fully developed miniature dogs.

Mon 18 Feb 2013

• The Dams abdomen starts to get larger.

Thu 28 Feb 2013

• It's very easy now to feel the puppies, counting them might be a bit more difficult.

Sun 3 Mar 2013 -
Mon 11 Mar 2013

• Dam begins to spend a lot more time in self-grooming.
• Her breasts become even more swollen.
• She may become a bit restlessness and begin to search for a suitable place to have her puppies.

Tue 5 Mar 2013

• The dam might lose her appetite during this period. Her abdomen can be crowded with puppies.
• It is better to feed several smaller meals spaced throughout the day.
• You can easily detect abdominal movement now.

Tue 5 Mar 2013 -
Wed 20 Mar 2013

• Nipples and vulva should be gently cleaned with warm water, you might want to trim the hairs surrounding the nipples, to allow easier access for the puppies to suck.

Fri 15 Mar 2013 -
Mon 18 Mar 2013

• Milky fluid may be expressed from the nipples.

Sat 16 Mar 2013

• You might want to start taking the dams rectal temperature each morning and evening.

Tue 19 Mar 2013

• Twelve to 24 hours before she is due to deliver, the dams rectal temperature may drop from 101 to 98 degrees.
• Clear discharge from the vulva might occur.

Wed 20 Mar 2013

• Expected date of whelp. Of course this is just an average. Whelping may take place from the 59th to the 65th day. Puppies born before the 58th day will probably be too young to survive.