Maybe you’ve been trying to breed your dog, and pregnancy is a joyous occasion. Or perhaps you left the back door open and you’re not thrilled about the prospect of puppies. Either way the signs and symptoms are the same-and so are the expectations along the way.
A female dog can only become pregnant if she is bred during her heat cycle. Canine cycle, referred as estrous cycle has four stages. The first stage is proestrus in which the female dog is attractive to males but not receptive to them. This stage generally lasts six to eleven days. This stage has already ended when the dog becomes receptive to the male and will stand to be bred. The next stage is the estrus, the actual fertile stage in which the female dog is now receptive to male. This stage lasts five to nine days. This stage has ended when the female is not receptive to the male anymore. The third stage is the diestrus, a non-receptive time and the last stage of the estrous cycle is the anestrus in which no ovarian activity took place.
Once you have bred your bitch you will eagerly look for signs of canine pregnancy. Seeking more attention than usual, feeling hungrier and nipples and vulva that are somewhat enlarged could be some of the early signs. Visiting a vet will confirm it. More obvious signs of dog pregnancy, which generally manifest after three weeks of initial breeding, are:
1. Anything that deviates from your bitch’s normal behavior might be an early indication of pregnancy. For example, a stand-offish bitch may suddenly become clingy, while a normally affectionate bitch may seek to be left alone.
2. Many bitches will experience a drop in their appetite during the first few weeks of pregnancy, becoming reluctant to eat anything. Eventually, their appetite returns with gusto and they will require nearly twice their normal amount of food to support the pups.
3. Some, but not all, bitches will vomit intermittently during the first few weeks of pregnancy. This can range from clear mucous to actual food. The use of the word “morning” can be a bit misleading since the vomiting can occur at any time of day.
Pregnant dogs tend to be lazy too. Certain breeds of dogs would go through a period of lethargy. If your dog used to be very active but it suddenly decreasing its normal activity, then it is most likely pregnant. Dog pregnancy symptoms are almost the same in dogs and humans. Dogs experience a feeling of exhaustion as well and this is the direct result of the changes in their hormone levels. Such changes, in turn, are caused by the body’s embryo production.
Most veterinarians can verify that a dog is pregnant by simply feeling the dog’s abdomen during a ten day time span at the beginning of your dog’s pregnancy. Around 20 to 30 days after conception a pregnant dog’s uterus will swell around the placental sites. The swelling feels like firm, discrete lumps that your vet should be able to detect just by feeling your dog’s abdomen. However, after the 30 day mark, the uterine swelling is not as easy to detect and it is difficult to distinguish between the feel of the uterus and the feel of the intestinal tract. Also, obese dogs may be difficult to examine in any stage because the extra layers of fat over their abdomen prevents the vet from being able to get a good feel of the dog’s internal organs.
If you’re asking what the pregnant dog symptoms are, one prominent change you’ll notice is their affection towards the family and other people. A number of pregnant dogs will become very affectionate and clingy. Some may even become very possessive. There are dogs that do the opposite too. They become anti-social, a big difference when they were normal. Still others become cautious with regards to strangers and even to some familiar non-family members, despite the fact that they were once very friendly.
As your dog’s pregnancy steps forward, you will notice progressing dog pregnant symptoms. You will notice your dog will likely wanting to eat more than usual. Her body starts to increase in size as manifested in her thickening belly. Late-term indicators of pregnancy are mostly obvious as your dog flaunts a definite abdomen size increase, puppy starts to move and milk is starting to leak a bit from your dog’s nipples. The most secured and certain means of identifying whether your dog is pregnant is visiting your veterinarian. You don’t want any false conclusions.
