Development of the Puppies

1.  Fertilization occurs

2.  2 cell embryos are in the oviduct

3.  The embryo is fairly resisitant to       

     external interference in development

 

1.  Possible morning sickness

2.  Possible personality changes

 

1.  Normal feeding

2  Check any and all medications with vet

    prior to administering

3.  NO LIVE VACCINES

4.  No insecticides (i.e., flea treatments)

 

1.  Put together pedigree on litter

2.  Write contract (if applicable)

3.  Contact AKC for litter registration

     application

4.  Start taking puppy reservations

 

Week Two (Days 8-14)

 

1.  Embryo will be 4 cells at the begin-

     ing of the week and will be 64 cells

     at the end of the week

2.  Embryos enter the uterus

 

1.  Possible morning sickness

 

1.  Continue as with Week One

 

1.  Nothing special this week

 

Week Three (Days 15-21)

 

1.  Day 19--Embryos implant in the

     uterus

 

1.  No significant changes this week

 

1.  Nothing special this week

 

1.  Nothing special this week

 

Week Four (Days 22-28)

 

1.   Development of the eyes and spinal

      cords

2.  Faces take shape

3.  Fetuses grow from 5-10 mm to 14-15

     mm

4.  Organogenesis begins--Embryos are

     at their most susceptible to defects

5.  Days 26-32 are the best days to

     palpitate (i.e., feel the puppies)

 

1.  Possible clear vaginal discharge

2.  Mammary development begins

 

1.  After Day 26,  palpitation may be

     possible to diagnose pregnancy

2.  Limit strenuous activity (such as

     working,  jumping or taking long

     runs)

3.  Add 1/4 cup cottage cheese or a      

     hard boiled egg to food on alter-

     nating days

 

1.  Schedule ultrasound or palpi-     tation with vet if desired to confirm

     pregnancy

 

Week Five (Days 29-35)

 

1.  Development of toes,  whisker buds,

     and claws

2.  Fetuses look like dogs

3.  Gender can be determined

4.  Eyes (previously open) are now

     closed

5.  Fetuses grow from 18 mm to 30 mm

6.  Organogenesis ends-- embryos are    

     fairly resistant to interference with

     development

 

1.  Swelling becomes noticeable

2.  Loss of "tuck up"

3.  Weight will start to increase

 

1.  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

2.  Add daily multi-vitamin

3.  Palpitation is no longer possible due

     to fluid in the uterus

 

 

1.  Nothing special this week. 

     Continue as in the week before

 

Week Six (Days 36-42)

1.  Development of skin pigment

2.  Fetuses should weigh around 6 grams

     and weigh about 45 grams

3.  Fetal heartbeats can be heard with

     stethoscope

 

1.  Nipples darken and enlarge

2.  Abdomen continues to enlarge

 

1.  Add cottage cheese or hard boiled egg

     to food daily

2.  Increase the amount of food in the

     extra meal

3.  Bitch should start sleeping in the

     whelping box

 

1.  Assemble whelping box

2.  By this time,  you should be fairly

     sure the bitch is pregnant.  Notify

     the people on your puppy list.  Let

     them know when you expect delivery

 

Week Seven (Days 43-49)

 

1.  Abdominal hair will start shedding

2.  The bitch will start to look pregnant at

      this point

 

1.  Slightly increase both meals

 

1.  Stop any rough housing or jumping

2.  Radiographs (x-rays), possible to

     determine number and size of puppies

 

Week Eight (Days 50-57)

 

1.  Fetal movement can be determined

     when the bitch is at rest

2.  Puppies can safely be born from now

     on

 

1.  Milk may be squeezed from nipples

2.  Bitch will be VERY large

 

1.  Add moderate lunch

 

1.  Gather whelping kit

2.  Prepare phone list for help. It

     should include  your vet's office phone

     number,  the emergency veterinary

     clinic phone number, the phone

     numbers of friends/relatives who

     will offer support/help during the

     whelping and anyone else you might

     need to contact

3.  Make sure your car is gassed up and

     ready for a possible emergency trip

     to your vet's office or emergency

     clinic

 

Week Nine (Days 58-63)

 

1.  Growth and development continues

 

1.  Nesting behavior may begin

2.  Bitch may become distressed

     (panting, pacing and acting uncom-

     fortable)

3.  Temperature should be 100.2- 100.8

      degrees Farenheit

 

4.  When temperature drops to 97.6-

     99.4 degrees, puppies should be

     born within 24 hours

5.  Appetite may disappear as whelping

     approaches

 

1.  Start taking temperature 3-4 time a

     day

 

1.  Notify vet or emergency clinic when

     temperature drops so that they will

     be ready in case of any problems

2.  Keep detailed records on temperature

     and behavior of bitch

3.  Double check that whelping supplies

     are ready

 

1.  Make sure each puppy gets some of

     the mother's colostrum (first milk)

     within the first 24 hours

2.  Lochia (vaginal discharge) should be 

     reddish to reddish brown (green is 

     ok  on the first day).  If you see 

     black  discharge,  contact your

     veterinarian IMMEDIATELY!!

3.  Within 5-6 hours of last puppy's

     birth,  take the bitch and puppies to

     vet for check up.  The vet will ensure

     that the bitch hasn't retained any

     puppies or placentas and that the

     puppies and bitch are in good health

 

 

Stethoscope

Lactate Ringers solution w/line set

Betadine diluted 1:1 in spray bottle

4x4 sterile gauze sponges

Alcohol or Alcohol wipes

Forceps to clamp umbilical cords

Kleenex

Paper Towels

Small Trash Bags (for disposal of extra placentas)

Large Trash Bags

Wet Ones (to help clean up mom)

Laundry Basket (for soiled linens)

Zip lock bags (for possible stillborn puppies)

Heating pad (for puppies while mom completes whelping the rest of the litter)

Water dish and Water for mom

Thermometer

Scissors (to cut umbilical cords)

Dental Floss (unwaxed,  to tie umbilical cords)

Bulb syringe (to suction puppies mouth and nose)

Iodine (to put on umbilical stump)

Latex Gloves

KY Jelly (to check mom for retained puppy or placenta)

Towels to dry puppies

Pads for whelping box

Puppy box to put puppies in till mom is finished whelping

Flannel blankets for puppy box

Camera for pictures

Scale to weigh puppies

Notebook to keep weight and condition of puppies for the first 8 weeks

 

You may substitute things that you have in your home for some of these items that will work just as well as the exact item.  Example:  Substitute boiled sugar water and Nutri Cal for Lactate Ringers Solution