Welcoming a new litter of puppies is an exciting time for any dog owner. However, ensuring the health and well-being of both the mother dog and her puppies requires careful attention and knowledge. This guide provides essential information on nutrition, exercise, predicting labor, and when to seek veterinary care throughout the pregnancy, whelping, and postpartum stages.
Nutritional Needs During Pregnancy
A pregnant dog’s dietary requirements change significantly as her pregnancy progresses, especially during the latter stages.
First Trimester (First 4 Weeks)
During the initial four weeks of pregnancy, it’s crucial to maintain your dog’s ideal body condition. Overfeeding can lead to excessive weight gain, which can complicate the birthing process. A high-quality commercial dry dog food, preferably a performance or gestational diet, is recommended as it meets all her nutritional needs. Aim for a diet with approximately 28-32% protein and 17-20% fat. Avoid supplementing with pure calcium during any stage of pregnancy. It’s important to gradually transition your dog to the new food rather than making a sudden switch to prevent digestive upset.
Second and Third Trimester (Last 2-4 Weeks)
As pregnancy advances, particularly after day 42, fetal growth accelerates, leading to increased caloric needs. Starting about 2-3 weeks before the anticipated due date, gradually increase the amount of performance or gestation food. Consistent monitoring of your dog’s weight is vital to ensure she maintains an appropriate body condition for delivery and lactation. The demands on her energy reserves will be substantial during lactation. To manage her reduced stomach capacity, especially with larger litters, offering multiple small meals throughout the day is the most effective way to ensure she receives adequate nutrition.
During Lactation
The energy requirements for a nursing mother are at their peak, typically around 3-4 weeks after whelping, often requiring at least double her normal caloric intake. Feed her on an “ad lib” basis during lactation to meet these heightened energy demands. As weaning approaches, usually starting around week four, gradually decrease her caloric intake on a smooth curve until she returns to her normal pre-pregnancy feeding routine. Continuous monitoring of her weight and body condition is essential, as individual needs can vary.
Exercise and Routine Management
Maintaining a consistent routine and environment is key to minimizing stress for your pregnant dog. Continue with her normal activities, especially during the first half of gestation, to keep her fit. This fitness will contribute to a more efficient and complication-free whelping. The primary modification recommended is to avoid environments where she might be exposed to diseases. This includes dog shows, trials, or any location with a high concentration of dogs from unknown health backgrounds. If possible, keep her separated from other dogs that frequently attend such events. This proactive measure helps reduce the risk of contracting viruses like herpesvirus, which can be transmitted through the air and can be extremely detrimental to fetal viability, especially if the mother has not been previously exposed.
Deworming Protocols
Intestinal parasites pose a significant risk to both the pregnant dog (dam) and her developing puppies. A general recommendation is to deworm the pregnant dog approximately 10 days before her expected whelping date and then every 2-3 weeks while she is nursing. It is critical to use only veterinary-approved medications that are safe for use during pregnancy and lactation, such as fenbendazole or pyrantel pamoate. Refrain from deworming during the early stages of pregnancy if possible, and avoid starting any treatment before 40 days of gestation.
Predicting the Onset of Labor (Pre-Whelping)
Accurate gestational age is invaluable for planning any necessary veterinary interventions during whelping or scheduling an elective Cesarean section. Unlike in humans, breeding dates alone cannot precisely determine a dog’s due date. Puppies delivered even 12 to 24 hours prematurely via C-section can face reduced survival rates. Several methods can help determine fetal age and predict the onset of labor:
Ovulation Timing
Using progesterone testing and vaginal cytology during the breeding period allows for accurate estimation of the LH surge and ovulation, thereby establishing a more precise due date. While LH hormone peaks can also be measured, this requires daily blood draws. Whelping typically occurs around 63 days (+/- 1 day) post-ovulation and 65 days (+/- 1 day) post-LH peak.
Progesterone Drop
A significant drop in serum progesterone levels to below 2.0 ng/ml usually precedes the onset of stage one labor by 12-24 hours. This indicator is often used to determine when it is safe to perform a C-section. However, in cases of small litters (one or two puppies), this progesterone drop can be inconsistent and should not be the sole determining factor.
Temperature Drop
Monitoring your dog’s rectal temperature twice daily in the week leading up to her due date can help predict labor. Approximately 80% of dogs will experience a pre-whelp temperature drop. This dip, usually 2-3°F lower than her baseline temperature (typically around 97-98°F), coincides with the progesterone drop (<2ng/ml) that occurs 12-24 hours before labor begins. Consistency in taking temperatures at the same time each day, and in relation to feeding, is crucial for establishing a normal temperature curve and accurately detecting this drop. Isolated temperature readings have limited predictive value.
To take a rectal temperature:
- Use a digital thermometer.
- Apply a lubricant (like Vaseline) to the tip to prevent rectal irritation.
- Gently insert the thermometer into the rectum, angling it against the rectal wall rather than directly into feces.
- Keep the thermometer in place until it beeps.
- Record the result.
Abdominal Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a versatile tool for monitoring pregnancy:
- Early Pregnancy Diagnosis (3-4 weeks post-insemination): This is the most accurate time for pregnancy confirmation via ultrasound. It can also provide an estimate of puppy numbers, though X-rays taken closer to the due date are more definitive for counting. Measuring the gestational sac size can confirm the whelping date with an accuracy of about two days.
- Late Pregnancy Assessment: After 40 days, measuring the fetal head diameter becomes more reliable for predicting the whelping date. As the due date nears, changes in puppy organ development indicate their readiness for birth, which is particularly important if a C-section is being considered. Within the last 48 hours before birth, fetal organs should be fully developed. Observations like visible kidney structures and the onset of intestinal peristalsis, along with monitoring puppy heart rates, help confirm readiness for birth and detect any signs of fetal distress.
X-Ray Confirmation
Knowing the exact number of puppies your dog is carrying is highly beneficial. While ultrasound can estimate litter size early on, it becomes less accurate after day 40. By one week before the due date, puppies’ skeletons are fully formed, making X-rays the definitive method for counting them. This procedure is safe, requiring no anesthesia or sedation, and involves a quick image capture. Knowing the exact count helps confirm when whelping is complete and alerts you if puppies might still be present but labor has stalled, allowing for timely veterinary intervention and potentially reducing puppy mortality.
When to Seek Veterinary Attention
Prompt veterinary care is crucial during various stages of pregnancy and whelping.
Before Whelping
- Your dog has reached her due date without showing signs of labor or a temperature drop, especially if carrying only one or two puppies (as determined by X-ray or ultrasound).
- She appears unwell, is very lethargic, vomiting, or refusing to eat.
- Any unusual vulvar discharge, particularly if bloody, green, or black.
During Whelping
- Green-black vulvar discharge without the birth of a puppy within 15 minutes.
- Profuse bloody vulvar discharge.
- Active contractions for 20-30 minutes without producing a puppy.
- Weak or intermittent straining that doesn’t result in the birth of the first puppy within two hours, or if the interval between puppy births exceeds two hours.
After Whelping
- Your dog seems unwell, develops a fever, is lethargic, vomiting, or not eating.
- She exhibits abnormal vulvar discharge.
- She is not nursing her puppies appropriately or is not displaying good maternal behavior.
