My dog is pregnant. How do I ensure healthy pups and a healthy mom?

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! The first thing is to be sure that Soska is up to date on all her vaccinations, is heartworm negative, in on heartworm prevention and has been dewormed. You can discuss monitoring her progesterone levels and vaginal cytology to optimize the correct breeding dates with your Vet. I will attach a handout on stages of pregnancy and when to worry during labor. Be sure to have a bulb syringe, hemostat, thread to tie umbilical chords and scissors. Here is a good website for whelping boxes:https://gordonsetterexpert.org/2015/10/29/design-yourself-the-perfect-whelping-box-set-up/ Whelping and When to be Concerned Stages of Labor: -Stage 1 tends to start 10-24 hours after temperature drop (usually below 99 F). -Stage 1: nesting. Can persist for 3-24 hours before abdominal contractions begin -Stage 2: Visible abdominal contractions. FIRST PUPPY SHOULD ARRIVE WITH IN 1-2 HOURS. -Stage 3: passage of placenta. Usually occurs within 15 mins of passing puppy. If it does not happen, don’t worry. When to worry/Call: -Strong contractions > 45-60 mins without birth of a puppy -Weak and infrequent contractions >4-6 hours without birth of puppy ->4-5 hours between puppies (after birth of first puppy without birth of the next puppy). On average a puppy is born every 45-60 mins. HOWEVER, the mother can often rest for several hours between puppies. This rest period is NOT associated with contractions and usually doesn’t exceed 4-6 hours. -If one puppy is born and she is having VISIBLE contractions for >2 hours without 2nd puppy. Recommend calling around 1 hour mark to talk to someone. -Failure to enter active labor (contractions) 24-36 hours after rectal temp falls below 99 F -Mother is in obvious pain: biting at vulva, crying) -No puppy within 2 hours of seeing green vaginal discharge -No puppy within 1 hour of seeing clear fluid from vulva (rupture of allantochorion) -No puppy within 1 hour of seeing a clear/water filled balloon at vulvar lips (puppy is in birth canal) I hope this helps and I wish you the best!

Here is some great information: https://www.petcoach.co/article/whelping-giving-birth-in-dogs/ Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. Please take the time to mark this question as helpful or not as it helps us to improve on the quality of our answers to other pet owners. Thank you kindly!

Well that is quite simple actually. Pregnant dogs only require puppy food which is higher in calories and provides exactly what she needs to maintain a good milk supply and muscle mass during her last trimester. You should start about halfway through her pregnancy and continue this food daily until she has completely weaned her puppies (at 3-4 weeks of age). You don't really need a daily food chart, just feed her the normal amount of food that you would feed her on a regular basis an she should be just fine. It is also a good idea to get her examined around day 45 by a veterinarian to find out how many pups she is having (via x-ray) and also for a general health exam to make sure mama is in good medical condition for her upcoming labor. Here is a website link with lots more tips and recommendations on how to care for a pregnant dog http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=678 http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1459

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! I recommend starting pregnant mothers on puppy food. Commercial puppy food will provide all the nutrients, vitamins and appropriate calories she needs. I do not recommend raw or home cooked diets as they are deficient in the appropriate nutrients unless balanced by a nutritionist. You can pay for websites like Balance It to create diets, see link below. Now is fine for puppy food or if you continue your plan now for the vitamins It is fine that she jumps it shouldn't cause miscarriages. https://secure.balanceit.com/ Good luck!

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! She should have all her vaccines and be dewormed prior to getting pregnant. Things to think about are if Virguie's breed has any trouble giving birth naturally so you can be financially prepared for a surgical C-section. Record all breeding dates accurately. Discuss measuring Progesterone levels with your Vet to time breeding. Look in to whelping boxes and watch videos on whelping so you can help during birth with removing the placentas from the puppies faces and tying umbilical chords. Purchase a bulb syringe to remove mucous from the puppies noses. Virguie should be fed puppy food while pregnant and while nursing. At day 50 pregnant have your Vet take an X-ray of her bally to estimate the number of puppies to expect. Start measuring Virguie's rectal temperature daily around day 58 pregnant to watch for a temperature drop that indicates the start of labor. Always keep your Vet prepared so they can assist you if you have problems. Be prepared to financially deworm and vaccinate the puppies when they need it and to take care of any unexpected illnesses in the mother and with the puppies. I hope this helps!

Hello. There is no need to change her food initially. Just feed the best food you can afford. The last few weeks before the puppies are born, switch her to a good puppy food as this will give her more calories she will need until the puppies are weaned & eating on their own. You can have your veterinarian ultrasound her abdomen or take an x-ray to confirm pregnancy & her hip dysplasia will not hurt her pregnancy, although this condition can be inherited by her puppies. So, consider spaying her once she is done with this pregnancy. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thabks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The size difference may or may not be a problem. If her litter is large the puppies will be smaller. If she only has one or two she’d be at more risk for needing a c-section. I would have your Vet take an X-ray at day 50 to confirm pregnancy and to count puppies. Write down the date she was bred. Dogs are pregnant 60-63 days. Starting at day 55 start taking her temperature daily rectally. Stage 1 labor tends to start 24 hrs once the temperature drops below 99 F. But your Vet can help you and go over concerns once we know she is pregnant and size of the litter. I hope this helps and good luck!