Your dog is showing signs of pregnancy but you are not sure since there are no home test kits for pets. Dog pregnancy can be difficult to detect but with these tips you may be able to find out if your dog will be having puppies or not.
If you think that your dog is acting weird lately, or is less than enthusiastic to do the usual things that she does it does not follow that your pet is pregnant. It could be false alarms. However, there are pregnancy indicators that will help you see if she will be having her little ones or not.
You have to remember that dog pregnancy is only possible if your dog has reached sexual maturity. Find out whether your pet is old enough to bear puppies or not. To be able to conceive your dog should be anywhere between 18-24 months depending on the breed of your dog. Then your dog can only get pregnant if she is on heat.
Usually the dog becomes more loving, cuddly and more playful. Other symptoms of dog pregnancy include mood swings, nipple growth, lack of interest in physical activities and being alone. Preparing them for motherly instinct, pregnant dogs tend to become protective of their toys, but just to be sure it is best to take your dog to a veterinarian.
Just like humans, the best way to detect pregnancy is by using an ultrasound. It can show fetal heartbeats and is more reliable to show if you will be expecting cute puppies or not. A blood test can also be done to see if the dog is pregnant. Believe it or not, hormonal changes are the same when dogs go through their cycle. If in humans, the woman produces more progesterone, then for dogs the hormone called relaxin must be detected since this is the only one produced by dog pregnancy.
An experienced vet can detect pregnancy as early as ten days after gestation by feeling its abdomen. Roughly around 20 to 30 days a pregnant dog's uterus will swell. However, if you really want to make sure if your dog is really pregnant then an x-ray can be done. The skeletal structure of the fetus can be shown by the x-ray leaving no doubt for dog pregnancy. It also shows how many puppies are there but this must be done later in the gestation cycle.
So now you know that your dog is pregnant, what is next? You have to know the symptoms that will tell you about your dog giving birth. First of all, you have to know the pregnancy cycle of your pet. After the first estrous cycle, your dog can give birth around 56 to 72 days after fertilization as the period may vary.
Here are some of the signs that your dog is about to be in labor. A dog giving birth to her puppies may exhibit a dramatic drop in bodily temperature 24 hours before the main event. It may drop as much as 98 degrees to 99 degrees. This is a normal sign considering that will give you time to help your pet. If you can detect this one then you can prepare earlier! Mostly a dog giving birth to her young ones will also shiver and vomit as well. Also dogs that are about to go on labor will refuse to eat and will start looking for a place to give birth! Another symptom that will reveal that your dog will be delivering her pups is that she will want you close by during the whole time!
How do you prepare your pet? You must introduce her to a whelping box otherwise you may find your dog giving birth inside your closet! Also, shave her belly to help the puppies find the nipple right away.
During labor your dog's cervix will dilate which opens the birth canal. Expect that your pet will pant, appear restless and strain the entire time.
Most of the time a dog giving birth to her puppies will not need human intervention, but just like humans they also need comfort during this difficult time. Be sure that you are supportive towards your pet during labor. If you are still unsure how she will give birth then just go by your gut feel and if you notice anything that is unusual or strange, then expect puppies anytime soon!
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