Pregnancy Calendar for Dogs
Date: Tue 15 Nov 2005
Sire: Russo
Dam: Alda
Breeder: Guide Dogs for the Blind
Wed 2 Nov 2005 First day of mating.
48 hours after the first mating the bitch should be mated again. Subsequent matings occurring over a period of time enhance the chances of fertilization taking place.
The spermatozoa migrate up through the cervix.

Thu 3 Nov 2005 Sperm travel searching for a mature ripened eggs.

Thu 3 Nov 2005 -
Fri 4 Nov 2005 Spermatozoa reach the eggs in the oviducts.

Fri 4 Nov 2005 -
Sat 5 Nov 2005 Fertilization occurs in the oviducts which lead from the ovaries to the uterus.

Sat 5 Nov 2005 -
Mon 7 Nov 2005 Fertilized eggs migrate down the oviducts and into the uterine horns.
The migration continue to enable even spacing of the embryos.
During this migration the eggs will grow into a blastocystes.

Sun 13 Nov 2005 -
Tue 15 Nov 2005 The blastocystes implant in the wall of the uterus.

Sun 13 Nov 2005 -
Sun 27 Nov 2005 The blastocystes will grow into an embryos.
During the next two weeks the important organs will develop.

Wed 16 Nov 2005 -
Wed 23 Nov 2005 Dams nipples begin to pink enlarge.
The fur on the dams belly and around the nipples may become thinner.

Tue 22 Nov 2005 -
Tue 29 Nov 2005 Morning sickness might occur due to hormonal changes or stretching and distension of the uterus. Dam may appear a bit apathetic. She may be off her feed for a while and vomit from time to time.
Feeding the dam several meals spaced throughout the day might help.
Your veterinarian may want to prescribe a drug to relax the uterus.

Sun 27 Nov 2005 -
Thu 1 Dec 2005 An experienced person (a breeder or a veterinarian) can tell by careful palpation whether the dam is pregnant.
It's now the best time to do this because the embryos are walnut-sized now and easy to count.

Wed 30 Nov 2005 Start to increase the dams food ration.
Don't overfeed, excessive weight gain should be avoided.
The foetuses are now and are fully developed miniature dogs.

Tue 6 Dec 2005 The Dams abdomen starts to get larger.

Fri 16 Dec 2005 It's very easy now to feel the puppies, counting them might be a bit more difficult.

Mon 19 Dec 2005 -
Tue 27 Dec 2005 Dam begins to spend a lot more time in self-grooming.
Her breasts become even more swollen.
She may become a bit restlessness and begin to search for a suitable place to have her puppies.

Wed 21 Dec 2005 The dam might lose her appetite during this period. Her abdomen can be crowded with puppies.
It is better to feed several smaller meals spaced throughout the day.
You can easily detect abdominal movement now.

Wed 21 Dec 2005 -
Thu 5 Jan 2006 Nipples and vulva should be gently cleaned with warm water, you might want to trim the hairs surrounding the nipples, to allow easier access for the puppies to suck.

Sat 31 Dec 2005 -
Tue 3 Jan 2006 Milky fluid may be expressed from the nipples.

Sun 1 Jan 2006 You might want to start taking the dams rectal temperature each morning and evening.

Wed 4 Jan 2006 Twelve to 24 hours before she is due to deliver, the dams rectal temperature may drop from 101 to 98 degrees.
Clear discharge from the vulva might occur.

Thu 5 Jan 2006 Expected date of whelp. Of course this is just an average. Whelping may take place from the 59th to the 65th day. Puppies born before the 58th day will probably be too young to survive.