Care of Pregnant and Whelping Bitch

The apparent gestation period for bitches averages 63 days with a range of 56-72 days if calculated from the first mating. This large variation is mainly due to the long and variable oestrus period (season) of the bitch, and the long lifespan of eggs and sperm. If we measure progesterone during the bitch's season, it becomes much easier to accurately determine when she will give birth, as it is 63 days after ovulation (with a day either side as the range!). Please talk to us about measuring progesterone if you wish to get your bitch pregnant; it is a useful tool not only for determining when she will give birth, but also when to mate her for the best chance of a successful outcome.

A number of behavioural and appearance changes may be noted during pregnancy. These include: 

• Persistent swelling of the vulva and slight enlargement of nipples (early changes). 

• Enlargement of mammary glands from 5 weeks of pregnancy (although some bitches may not show   changes until the final few days of pregnancy). 

• Increase in abdomen size from 5 weeks, with the shape changing to pear shaped in the last week. 

• Malaise (lethargy) in the third week when the embryos are implanting, and the fifth week as a result   of pressure from the uterus on the stomach and liver. This should only last a day or two- contact us     if this lasts longer. 

• Appetite may reduce towards the end of pregnancy. 

Vaccinations

Whilst it is safe to vaccinate during pregnancy, if possible it is best to avoid doing so and ensure that your bitch is up to date prior to mating. If this is not possible and it is necessary to vaccinate during the pregnancy, the best time to do so is the second trimester. Avoid vaccinating 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after mating, and 2 weeks before whelping. Again, whilst it is deemed safe to vaccinate during lactation, it is better to avoid it if possible. There is a vaccine against canine herpes virus. This virus is a commonly cited cause of neonatal death. Exposure of a naive bitch during the last three weeks or pregnancy can result in either late term abortion or death of the pups during the first few weeks or life, with the mortality rate of the litter commonly being 100%. Treatment is unrewarding and rarely successful. Vaccination is the best defence against this terrible disease and consists of two injections, the first at the time of mating or 7- 10 days later, and the second 1-2 weeks before the expected whelping date. Vaccination must be repeated for each pregnancy.

Worm treatment

Your bitch should be up to date with her worming protocol prior to mating.

Pregnant bitches should be wormed with Panacur 10 % oral suspension from day 40 of pregnancy, every day until 2 days post whelping (approximately 25 days).

Flea treatment

Your bitch should be up to date with flea prevention, and therefore once pregnant, should only be treated if required. However the safety of products are limited so seek veterinary advice before application.

Feeding

Food should remain the same, until around the 5th week of the bitch’s pregnancy. The bitch should then be moved on to Royal Canin Starter or a good quality puppy food, as it is higher in calories and meets the increased energy requirements she will need during pregnancy and lactating (feed at the recommended amounts found on the bag). This will also make weaning easier as this is what the puppies will move on to. Food quantities should gradually increase until the bitch's food intake is approximately one and a half times her normal level.

She may require smaller more frequent meals during the last few weeks of pregnancy.

After the puppies are born the bitch will remain on Royal Canin Starter or puppy food and can be fed 'ad lib', as much as she wants, which could be up to 4 times her normal intake. Fresh water should be provided at all times.

Feed your bitch a manufactured, fully balanced diet throughout her pregnancy. There is no need to increase the amount of food she receives in the first two trimesters of pregnancy, although you may find as pregnancy progresses that she needs this amount in smaller, more frequent meals. In the final trimester (last 2-3weeks of pregnancy) it is advisable to gradually increase the amount of food your bitch is fed, as it is in this time that most of the growth of the pups takes place. Be careful not to over-feed however! Obesity can cause whelping complications and increase the need for a Caesarian section. There are special pregnancy diets available for this period such as Royal Canin HT 42d- you may find these useful to feed. There is absolutely no need to give your bitch a calcium supplement at any time during the pregnancy or post-natal period. You are likely to do more harm than good, risking eclampsia. Once the pups are born, energy requirements increase considerably as the bitch is lactating- producing milk is one of the biggest energy drains a bitch ever has to face. A 20kg bitch will have to produce nearly three times her weight in milk to sustain her pups to weaning. In some cases, maintaining the bitch's weight can be very tricky. It is best to feed a good quality puppy food during this time on a near ad lib basis (unless she looks to be getting fatter), such as an appropriate Royal Canin starter diet. Change any diet gradually over the course of a few days.

Exercise

Regular exercise can continue, it is important to maintain the bitch’s fitness and weight as this can help reduce the risk of difficulty giving birth. She may require shorter more frequent walks as she will tire quicker, the larger she becomes.

Once the bitch has given birth, she will not want to leave the puppies to be exercised but should be encouraged to visit the garden regularly for toileting. Once weaning has started about 3-4 weeks. she should be more willing to be exercised, and this should be gradually built up to her normal exercise regime.

Accommodation

A quiet area should be provided for the bitch away from other dogs. This area should be warm and free from draughts. Ideally you should have a specially designed whelping box but if not then the area should be large enough for her to move around safely without risk of squashing any puppies. The bitch should be introduced to her new bed in the last 2 weeks of her pregnancy to become accustomed to the area before whelping.