Now that we’ve had a successful mating, the changes in a female and pups are amazing. The pictures are mostly from the famous National Geographic series “In the womb: Animals”.
Pregnancy Timeline
Week One
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
+ Fertilization occurs
+ 2 cell embryos are in the oviduct
+ The embryo is fairly resistant to external interference in development
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
+ Possible morning sickness
+ Possible personality changes
CARE OF THE BITCH
+ Normal feeding
+ Check any and all medications with vet prior to administering
+ No insecticides (i.e., flea treatments)
+ No live vaccines
Week Two (Days 8-14)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
+ Embryo will be 4 cell at start of week and 64 cell by end of week
+ Embryo enters the uterus
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
+ Possible morning sickness (can also come in week 5)
CARE OF THE BITCH
+ Continue as with Week One
TO DO LIST
+ Nothing special this week
Week Three (Days 15-21)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
+ Day 19 — Implantation of embryos in uterus
+ The embryo is sensitive to external interference in development
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
+ See above
CARE OF THE BITCH
+ See above
+ Make sure week 3 is calm for the bitch.
TO DO LIST
+ Nothing special this week
Week Four (Days 22-28)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
+ Development of eyes and spinal cords
+ Faces take shape
+ Fetuses grow from 5-10 mm to 14-15 mm
+ Organogenesis begins– Embryos are at their most susceptible to defects
+ Days 26 – 32 are the best days to palpitate (i.e.. feel for the puppies)
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
+ Possible clear vaginal discharge
+ Mammary development begins
CARE OF THE BITCH
+ After Day 26, palpitation may be possible to diagnose pregnancy
+ Limit strenuous activity (such as working, jumping, long runs)
+ Add Omega 3+ oil or similar daily
TO DO LIST
+ Schedule ultrasound or palpitation with vet if desired (day 28-30 is good for ultrasound)
Week Five (Days 29-35)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
+ Development of toes, whisker buds, and claws
+ Fetuses look like dogs
+ Gender can be determined
+ Eyes (previously open) now close
+ Fetuses grow from 18 mm – 30 mm
+ Organogenesis ends — embryos are fairly resistant to interference with development
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
+ Swelling becomes noticeable
+ Loss of “tuck-up”
+ Weight will start to increase
CARE OF THE BITCH
+ Slightly increase amount of food and switch to puppy kibble. If you feed one meal a day, add an extra meal. If you feed twice a day, slightly increase one of the meals.
+ Palpitation no longer possible due to fluids in uterus
TO DO LIST
+ Nothing special this week
Week Six (Days 36-42)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
+ Development of skin pigment
+ Fetuses should weigh around 6 grams and be 45 mm long
+ Fetal heartbeats can be heard with stethoscope
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
+ Nipples darken and enlarge
+ Abdomen continues to enlarge
CARE OF THE BITCH
+ Increase the amount of food in the extra meal
+ Bitch can start sleeping in whelping box
TO DO LIST
+ Assemble whelping box
+ By this time you should be fairly sure that the bitch is pregnant.
Week Seven (Days 43-49)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
+ Growth and development continues
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
+ Abdomen hair will start shedding
+ The bitch will start to look pregnant at this point
CARE OF THE BITCH
+ Slightly increase both meals
TO DO LIST
+ Stop any rough play or jumping
+ Radiographs (X-rays) possible to determine number and size of puppies
Week Eight (Days 50-57)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
+ Fetal movement can be detected when bitch is at rest
+ Puppies can safely be born from about day 56
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
+ Milk may be squeezed from nipples
+ The bitch will be very large.
CARE OF THE BITCH
+ Add moderate lunch
TO DO LIST
+ Gather whelping kit (see below)
+ Prepare phone list for help/support. It should include your vet’s phone number, the emergency clinic’s phone number, the number of any friends who will be offering support during whelping, and anyone else you might need to contact before, during, or after whelping
+ Make sure your car is gassed up and ready for a possible emergency trip to the vet’s office.
Week Nine (Days 58-65)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES
+ Growth and Development continues
CHANGES IN THE BITCH
+ Nesting behavior may be seen
+ Bitch may become distressed (panting, pacing, acting uncomfortable)
+ When temperature drops significantly, puppies should be born within 24 hours
+ Appetite may disappear as whelping approaches
CARE OF THE BITCH
+ Start taking temperature three times a day
TO DO LIST
+ Make sure your phone’s battery is loaded (if you have cordless phone or mobile)
+ Keep detailed records on temperature and behavior of bitch
+ Double check that whelping supplies are ready
Post Partum
* Make sure each puppy gets some of the bitch’s colostrum (first milk) within first 24 hours.
* Lochia (vaginal discharge) should be reddish to reddish-brown (green is okay on first day). If you see black discharge, contact your vet immediately!
* Within 5-6 hours of last puppy’s birth, you can take bitch and puppies to vet for check up if something seems to be wrong. The vet will ensure that the bitch hasn’t retained any puppies or placentas and that the puppies are in good health. You especially want to check for cleft palates as these puppies probably won’t survive and should be euthanized now.
Clips from the amazing documentary “In the womb”:
In the womb: Puppy 30 days
In the womb: Puppy 60 days