Pregnancy Guideline
WEEK ONE (DAYS 1 - 7)
Development of the puppies
Fertilization occurs.
2 cell embryos are in the oviduct.
The embryo is fairly resistant to external interference in development.
Normal daily activities are not restricted.
Changes in the female
Possible morning sickness.
Possible personality changes.
Care of the female
Normal feeding.
Check any and all medications with vet prior to administering.
No insecticides (i.e., flea treatments).
No live vaccines.
To do list
Put together pedigree on litter.
Write contract.
Contact CKC for litter registration application if not doing it on-line.
Start taking puppy reservations.
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 female
Possible morning sickness.
Care of the female
Continue as with Week One.
To do list
Nothing special this week.
WEEK THREE (DAYS 15-21)
Development of the puppies
Day 19 the embryos implants onto uterus.
Changes in the female
Possible morning sickness.
Care of the female
Continue as with Week One.
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.
Embryos are at their most susceptible to defects.
Changes in the female
Possible clear vaginal discharge Mammary development begins
Care of the female
After Day 26, palpitation may be possible to diagnose pregnancy.
Days 28 - 32 are the best days to palpitate (i.e.. feel for the puppies.)
Limit strenuous activity (such as working, jumping, long runs.
To do list
Schedule ultrasound or palpitation with vet if desired.
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.
Embryos are fairly resistant to interference with development.
Changes in the female
Swelling becomes noticeable.
Loss of "tuck-up" at her abdomen.
Weight will start to increase.
Care of the female
Slightly increase amount of food.
If you feed one meal a day, add an extra meal.
If you feed twice a day, slightly increase one of the meals if weight management is required.
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 female
Nipples darken and enlarge.
Abdomen continues to enlarge.
Care of the female
Increase the amount of food in the extra meal (if added the week before.) or increase a meal.
Remember a female should not be overweight to carry and deliver puppies!!
Female should start sleeping in whelping box.
To do list
Assemble whelping box.
By this time you should be fairly sure that the female is pregnant.
Notify the people on your puppy list.
Let them know when you expect delivery.
WEEK SEVEN (DAYS 43-49)
Development of the puppies
Growth and development continues.
Changes in the female
Abdomen hair will start shedding.
The female will start to look pregnant at this point.
Care of the female
Slightly increase both meals.
To do list
Stop any roughhousing or jumping.
Radiographs (X-rays) earliest possible time to determine number of puppies.
(Only radiograph once a pregnancy unless medically needed for a c-section!!)
WEEK EIGHT (DAYS 50-57)
Development of the puppies
Fetal movement can be detected when female is at rest.
Puppies may possibly be safely be born after Day 55 - 56 (does not apply to all breeds).
Changes in the female
Milk may be squeezed from nipples.
The female will be very large.
Radiographs (X-rays)may be able to determine number of puppies.
(Only radiograph once a pregnancy unless medically needed for a c-section!!)
Care of the female
Add moderate lunch.
To do list
Gather whelping kit (see Whelping).
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 (like your office to let them know you won't be in!).
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.
Best time for radiographs (X-rays) are Day 58 - 60 to determine number of puppies and size.
(Only radiograph once a pregnancy unless medically needed for a c-section!!)
Changes in the female
Nesting behavior may be seen.
Female may become distressed (panting, pacing, acting uncomfortable).
Temperature should be around 37.9 - 38.2 degrees Celsius (100.2 - 100.8 degrees Fahrenheit).
When temperature drops to around 36.3 - 37.4 degrees Celsius (98 - 99.4 degrees Fahrenheit), puppies should be born within 24 hours.
Appetite may disappear as whelping approaches.
Care of the female
Start taking temperature three times a day.
To do list
Notify vet or emergency clinic when temperature drops so that they will be ready if you have any problems.
Keep detailed records on temperature and behavior of female.
Double check that whelping supplies are ready.
POST PARTUM
Make sure each puppy gets some of the female's colostrum (first milk) within first 24 hours.
Lochia (vaginal discharge) should be reddish to reddish-brown (some green is okay).
If you see black or dark green discharge, contact your vet immediately!
Within 5-6 hours of last puppy's birth you may take female and puppies to vet for check up.
The vet will ensure that the female hasn't retained any puppies or placentas and that the puppies are in good health.
I do not recommend vet visits at this time unless you are concerned about unhealthy puppies, retained puppies or missing placentas.
You especially want to check for cleft palates as these puppies probably won't survive and should be euthanized now.
Information gathered off the WWW, books, experience and advice.