Caring for Your Pregnant Bitch: A Guide for Dog Breeders

At McLaren Vale Veterinary Surgery, we understand that caring for a pregnant bitch is a significant responsibility. This guide provides essential information to ensure your dog's pregnancy is as healthy and comfortable as possible. Whether you're an experienced breeder or new to the process, our comprehensive guide covers everything from gestation length to nutritional requirements, ensuring you have all the knowledge you need.

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Length of Gestation

The average length of a dog's gestation period is approximately 63 days, but it can range from 56 to 72 days from the first mating. The most accurate method to determine the whelping date is by knowing the date of ovulation, which can be determined by progesterone testing. If this has not been performed, an estimate of the due date can be calculated by ultrasound assessment of the puppies. If ovulation timing is known, whelping typically occurs 63 +/- 1 day post-ovulation. Slight variation may be seen from this due to breed (e.g. Greyhounds have a longer gestation length) or size of the litter (larger litters are often whelp earlier than small litters).

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Pregnancy Diagnosis

Detecting pregnancy early allows for better care and preparation. At McLaren Vale Veterinary Surgery, we recommend and perform the following testing for pregnancy.

  • Ultrasound: This is a reliable method for confirming pregnancy. We routinely perform this 28 days post mating to confirm pregnancy. The number of puppies present can be estimated at this time. However, confirmation of this number is usually performed during the pre-whelping xrays.
  • X-ray: A week prior to whelping (approx. day 56), we recommend performing pre-whelping xrays. This xray enables us to determine the number of puppies present so we can know what to expect during the whelping process.
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Nutritional Requirements

Proper nutrition is crucial for the health of both the pregnant bitch and her puppies. During the first 5-6 weeks the bitch should be fed a high-quality adult maintenance food. During the last 3 weeks, it is important to change the bitch to a high-quality puppy food. Approximately 70% of the foetus growth occurs during these last few weeks, so high-quality nutrition is important. Increasing nutritional intake too early can result in overly larger puppies and difficulty birthing (dystocia). As the puppies grow, the stomach size of the bitch will reduce, so multiple feeds throughout the day will be necessary. It is important NOT to add any other supplements to the diet without consulting your veterinarian first.

Vaccination and Worming

Keeping your pregnant bitch up-to-date on vaccinations and worming is vital for her health and the health of her puppies.

  • Vaccinations: Ideally, vaccinations should be up-to-date before breeding. If necessary, consult your vet about safe vaccinations during pregnancy.
  • Worming: Regular worming is crucial. Safe worming products for pregnant dogs should be used to prevent the transmission of parasites to the puppies. Worming is recommended to be performed at 6 weeks of gestation. Consult your vet at MVVS for a suitable worming schedule and products.

 

Drug Administration During Pregnancy

Medications should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. If your bitch requires medications for pre-existing conditions, please discuss this with us at McLaren Vale Veterinary Surgery.

 

Housing of a Pregnant Bitch

Providing a safe, comfortable, and stress-free environment is essential for a pregnant bitch:

  • Whelping Box: Prepare a whelping box lined with clean, soft bedding. It should be large enough for the bitch to move around comfortably and have low sides to allow easy access. This should be a quiet, familiar environment for the bitch, with minimal contact with visitors or other dogs.
  • Temperature Control: Ensure the area is warm but well-ventilated. A temperature around 24-27°C is ideal for newborn puppies, as their mother will provide them with further warmth. However, if the bitch leaves the puppies for extended periods, a temperature of 29-32°C is required during the first week. This temperature can be reduced to 26 degrees thereafter.
  • Exercise: Moderate exercise is important to keep the pregnant bitch healthy and prevent excessive weight gain. Short, gentle walks are recommended.

 

Predicting Whelping Timing

If the whelping date was not predicted by the ovulation date or ultrasounds of the puppies, other methods can be used to detect the timing of whelping:

  • Ultrasound Measurements: During early to mid-pregnancy ultrasound assessment of the puppies can be performed. Our vets are able to confirm the pregnancy diagnosis as well as measure the puppies. Measuring the size of the puppies gives us information to determine the age of the puppies and calculate a whelping date.
  • Progesterone testing in late pregnancy: Monitoring progesterone prior to whelping helps predict when a bitch is going to give birth. Progesterone levels drop significantly 24 hours prior to whelping. This does have limitations and progesterone may not drop in litters of 1-2 puppies. At McLaren Vale Veterinary Surgery we routinely measure progesterone with a turn-around time of approximately 1 hour.
  • Monitoring Rectal Temperature: As progesterone drops, so too does the temperature. The normal rectal temperature of a dog is about 38.5 degrees. Approximately 8-24 hours prior to whelping, this temperature may drop by >1 degree or below 37.5°C. To detect this temperature drop, it is important to start testing temperatures a week prior to the expected due date, and to perform twice daily at the same time each day.
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