Pregnant bitches - what to expect

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welshies

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Well for those of you that have read my previous posts, they have done the deed, all went v smoothly in the end!! In four meetings they tied twice for about 20 mins each time, we worked out she's just not a performer, you couldn't even look at her let alone approach them intil they tied else she would just let it! Was the most nerve racking 40 mins of my life when they were tied, she tried to pull a little at first both times, but they both settled really well and he's like an old pro now bless him! But anyway my question is the bitch now! Assuming she took the first time she will be due around the 26th Jan. I have seen on here that foetus are most vulnerable between 24 & 35 days and shouldnt let a vet or anyone do external exam, when i mentioned it to owners they said they wont let him then and aren't bothered about finding out, if she's not preggers theres nout we can do about it til next season anyway so we rather let nature takes its course. Thoughts? Kinda figured by the time she might need change/extra food the pups will be growing (last 2 weeks) and we're likely to know anyway. Got anymore tips/ anything i need to know? Owner will be sleeping with her for the last week, she will be having her own welping living room and will be seperated from the other dog, also wormed during and after. ANything else? Does anyone recomend scanning? and how much?
 
Glad you got the deed done in the end. I used to have my bitches scanned by the local sheep scanner! He charged me £5 but that was a few years back. Otherwise just wait and see what happens. Bitches often change in character, before they show any physical signs. You are right that she won't need extra food until she is showing, I would say last 3 weeks depending on how her condition is. I used to change to a higher protein complete food (fed tripe otherwise), but don't let her get too fat. Keep her well exercised, dogs are like people they should keep fit in pregnancy, but obviously nothing stupidly strenuous in the last few weeks, she will probably slow down anyway and tell you how much she wants to do. There used to be an excellent book about breeding, I think it was called The Book of the Bitch, by Kay White, I can highly recommend it. Probably loads more things you want to know, the best thing is to ask as times goes on.
 
I think we've only ever had 2 scans out of 13 litters, wouldn't bother to be honest, unless you think there's a problem. The vet can't actually tell how many are in their for definite any way - I know of bitches who've had more and less than have shown in the scans.

Echo MurphysMinder - don't let her get too fast and keep her fit but not over muscled, an exercised and fit bitch will whelp easier.

Also agree, that Kay White book was pretty much my bible when I had my first litter of Jacks and when mum bred her first litter. Very informatiove.
 
I had mine scanned (also sheep scanner) total waste of time and charged me £20.00 to tell me what I already knew!

If she's a maiden (if I remember rightly she is) you'll probably tell by around 4/5 weeks as her teats will become enlarged and her tummy will look different, Skye acted differently too, like she had some big secret she was bursting to tell me - sounds mad but she did! Also became more affectionate to me and grumpy with other dogs, then nasty with other bitches.

Tell the owner to enjoy her sleep now! I've had 6 weeks of not alot of sleep and feel like a zombi, also tell her to enjoy the first few weeks when the bitch does everything and cleans up - the time when they can only crawl is the peaceful bit!
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Good luck!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I think we've only ever had 2 scans out of 13 litters, wouldn't bother to be honest, unless you think there's a problem. The vet can't actually tell how many are in their for definite any way - I know of bitches who've had more and less than have shown in the scans.

[/ QUOTE ]

Skye was scanned for 'about 3' and had 9
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Guess I was lucky then, cos the chap who scanned my girls showed me the screen and we could count the little lumps. With one litter I knew there were at least 7, she whelped 5 and then settled down as if she had finished. I considered the possibility she had reabsorbed but had her checked by vet to be sure. She had uterine inertia and one massive puppy stuck, and she had to have an emergency caesar. I would have had her checked by vet the day after whelping anyway but this was middle of the night (of course). Only had scans for last few litters though, before that it was really just playing the waiting game.
 
Thanks for the replys guys, will keep you posted! I used to be a veterinary nurse so have delivered lots of C-sections but never a natural birth, i'm nervous already! Don't want to even touch the pups unless theres a prob incase she rejects them! Im guessing she'll want to be as much on her own as poss looking at what she was like to mate! Anyway, i'm sure ill have many questions for you in the coming weeks!
 
The owners will be on watch and no doubt i'll be getting a phone call! My phones on 24 hours a day. I've always been told if you have them scanned it will just tell you if he is pregnant or not, not how many she is having.
 
Our vets wont give you an exact number any way, they'll say "about" because they're open to liability should the bitch have more and your not there and something happens to pups - sounds ludicrous but I know it's happened!!

The "bible" is a must have!
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I've never had a problem with being with my bitches when they've whelped, infact I've delivered all of my puppies (with the exception of the one puppy that Mouse had to have by C-sec) I've handled them from birth too, but always in full view of the mothers!! The best thing to do is to make a fuss over the bitch first so she doesn't feel left out, then the pups. Only time we've had a pup rejected was my Bridget and that's because she was the runt - nothing to do with us handling her.
 
you will know if she is pregnant cos the hair around her nipples will disappear and when she is going into whelp her temperature will drop below 100 so worth investing in a thermometer.
Hope that helps.
 
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