How long is a bitch in heat?
The time of sexual maturity of a bitch depends on her breed. The larger her breed, the longer she will wait for sexual maturity. This is about six to eighteen months.
However, sexual maturity does not mean that your bitch is ready for pregnancy. In the early stages of heat, the birth canals are not yet fully developed. As a rule, your bitch will now come into heat every six months.
During heat, the vulva becomes more perfused and she secretes a bloody fluid. The bitch's behavior toward the male dog also changes. About two days before her ovulation she becomes ready for covering.
During the actual ovulation phase, her vaginal discharge is clearer and more mucous. Thus, the mating by the male dog is facilitated. During this phase, the bitch's porgesterone level also increases. This hormone helps prepare the body for pregnancy.
Your veterinarian can determine if your bitch is pregnant by the following ways:
- Relaxation test The hormone relaxin is formed only during pregnancy. It continues to be produced only when the fetuses are alive in the uterus. Hormone testing can take place from the 24th day after fertilization. With this method it is possible to distinguish a false pregnancy from a real pregnancy.
- Ultrasound examination With a high-tech ultrasound machine, pregnancy can be diagnosed as early as day 18. It becomes more reliable from the 25th day. -X-ray examination X-ray examination can give a definite diagnosis of pregnancy only after the 42nd day.
The gestation period of a bitch is around 61 to 65 days, depending on when she ovulates. Fluctuations can occur depending on when she was mated. A male dog's sperm can survive in the uterus for six to ten days.
If she is mated five days after ovulation, the birth can follow in 57 days. If she is mated five days before ovulation, this is around 68 days. If a bitch is covered even earlier, the pregnancy can even last up to 72 days.
Everything explained in 5 steps
1. The first five to six weeks
In the first phase of pregnancy, only inconspicuous changes take place. At the end of the first month, the mammary glands enlarge. The teats turn pink to dark. Sometimes the hair around the teats may fall out.
From around the 30th day of pregnancy, a transparent or whitish mucus will ooze out of the vagina. At the beginning of pregnancy you don't have to pay so much attention and the amount of food can remain as usual.
From the 35th day, the bitch slowly gains weight. She can end up weighing twice as much as before the pregnancy. However, this depends very much on the number of fetuses and their breed.
2. The last third
It is only noticeable externally from the last third of the pregnancy. The size of the belly increases. In some quadrupeds, abdominal enlargement is not so pronounced. The mammary gland and vulva thicken.
At this stage it is possible to listen to the fetal heartbeat.
The pregnant bitch's appetite increases. Now is the time to switch to a food for pregnant and lactating bitches.
During this phase, it is particularly important that you feed your furry friend according to its increasing energy requirements. About a week before birth, the mammary glands start producing milk.
3. Shortly before birth
Ten to six days before the due date, you should take your bitch's temperature daily. The body temperature should be between 37 and 38 °C. Shortly before the birth, the temperature drops to 36.5 to 37 °C.
Other accompanying symptoms of the upcoming birth are:
- frequent urination
- Licking the vulva
- Nesting behavior
- Loss of appetite
- Restlessness, stress
- Scratching on the floor or in the dog bed
- Trembling or panting
4. Birth
You will be able to clearly see the onset of labor. Also, from the vagina of your bitch will excrete a clear discharge. In the next 20 to 30 minutes, the first puppy should be born.
The litter between puppies usually lasts 20 minutes. However, it can take more than an hour for the next puppy to be born. If the rest period to the next litter lasts longer than two hours, notify your vet.
After the birth of the puppy bitch cuts the umbilical cord itself. She unveils the puppies from the amniotic sac and licks them. This frees them from the amniotic sac and cleans them and stimulates their breathing.
After each litter comes an afterbirth. Normally the bitch eats the afterbirth, because it contains a lot of proteins and nutrients. They help the bitch to regenerate after the stresses of pregnancy.
5. After birth
You can tell by your bitch's behavior if the birth is over:
First she starts to clean herself. Then she lies down on her side and stretches out her legs. The puppies lie on their teats and suck the "first mother's milk" - the colostrum.
The colostrum contains important nutrients for the new arrivals. It stimulates the first bowel movements of puppies. Also, the first milk contains 95 % of antibodies, which is necessary for strengthening the immune system.
The "first milk" is different in appearance from the later breast milk. It is yellowish and somewhat stickier. That is why it is sometimes mistaken for pus.
The first rule you should never underestimate is:
Always keep calm!
Even though this is an enjoyable experience, this time - especially the birth itself - is an extremely stressful one for your charge. Additional stress and restlessness of their caregivers would be an additional burden for them.
During the birth, you should hold back as much as possible and not intervene unnecessarily. But stay with your pelt-nose during the birth. Thus, you can support them with your presence and intervene immediately if there are any unwanted complications.
Prepare the whelping box
From the 40th day you should prepare a whelping box. You can use a cardboard box or make one out of wood. It should be big enough for your bitch and the puppies. You should also allow some space for your bitch in case she wants to rest on her own.
The box should be high enough so that the puppies do not break out of the box to go on a little expedition in your home.
Choose a quiet and warm place. It is important that no drafts can reach the puppies! The puppies need an ambient temperature in the first week From 28 to 32 °C.
Some bitches like the litter box to be where they get their food. They feel safe in these places. You can put their bed in the box or next to the box. Putting a few of their toys in the box will help them get used to the box more quickly.
If she drags the box to another location, you should accept her move. Pad the bottom of the box and cover it with a puppy pad. It is also useful to have sheets, covers or towels handy for the birth.
Change of diet
In the first 4 weeks of pregnancy, your four-legged friend can have her normal food. From the 4th week you should start the changeover. She should be given food with more energy and protein.
The future mother will have more appetite than usual from the 4th week.
There are numerous dog foods offered for pregnant bitches. Generally, they are marked with the following designation:**"**for gravid or lactating bitches" or "for pregnant and lactating bitches". They contain more protein and energy.
Alternatively, you can switch to puppy food:
Choose puppy food that is suitable for the size of your bitch. Some varieties have information about the feeding amount of pregnant and/or lactating bitches.
Otherwise, you should follow this rule of thumb:
- Dosage for small dogs with a small number of puppies: Increase the energy intake to 30 % compared to the maintenance requirement (normal amount of food).
- Dosage for large dogs: increase energy intake up to 50 %.
You should give her food two to three times a day and always have enough drinking water ready!
Your dog may eat less than usual during the last week of pregnancy. On the day of birth and the following day she will probably not eat at all. This is normal and nothing to worry about.
During the suckling phase, energy requirements should be regulated as follows:
For each pup she sires, the energy requirement must be 25 % higher than the maintenance requirement.
As soon as the puppies start to eat supplementary food, you should reduce the mother's ration. Around six to eight weeks after the birth - the day before weaning - do not give your bitch any food. This can stop milk production.
On the day of weaning, give her only 25 % of the maintenance requirement. In the following days, you can slowly adjust the amount of food to the maintenance requirement.
Documentations
Information such as:
- Body temperature
- Date of birth
- Onset of labor
- Birth times of the individual litters
- Number of puppies
- Puppies sex
- Puppies weight
- Ambient temperature
Are important for tracking the gestation, birth and puppy stages.
To be able to distinguish the puppies from each other, you should put a ribbon on them. You can label the ribbon with their names or numbers.
In addition, you can discuss with your veterinarian which information might still be important. So you have everything at a glance.
Measure temperature
From the first trimester, you should take the temperature rectally. If you do not know how, you can ask your vet. He will surely give you the necessary tips and show you how to do it. Or read our guide on how to measure your dog's fever.
It's good to record your body temperature in a diary.
If the temperature has dropped to 36.5 - 37 °C, the birth is imminent. Within 12-24 hours the birth should begin.
Keep the vet's telephone number to hand
Usually bitches manage their birth themselves without any problems.
However, you should always have your vet's phone number handy in case of complications. Also, it would be good if you get a phone number from your vet with which he can be reached at night. Because the birth can also take place at night.
In the following situations you should contact your veterinarian immediately!
- Green vaginal discharge before the first puppy is born
- Foul smelling discharge
- Bitch has been pushing for about 20-30 minutes, but can not litter
- After a litter the next puppy does not come after 2 hours yet
- High fever
- Symptoms of exhaustion
Describe the situation very precisely to your doctor. Your veterinarian will pass on the necessary instructions or pray you to bring the bitch and her already born puppies to the clinic.
Yes, four to nine weeks after heat, bitches can become false pregnant. This is not a cause for concern.
After the body determines that the bitch is not pregnant after heat, the progesterone level drops rapidly. This rapid decrease can sometimes be registered by the organism as a birth.
In the process, the body ensures that the prolactin level rises. Prolactin, on the other hand, stimulates the mammary glands.
It becomes problematic when, in addition to the physiological phenomena, psychological behavioral changes appear.
Your dog can start building a nest. Toys, other objects such as shoes, slippers and the like can be used for building her nest. Some of the bitches are aggressive at this stage.
She might even be looking for her caregivers (Caution with children!) snap when any of the toys or items are taken away from their supposed nest.
Normally, this will take care of itself. However, it would be good to consult your veterinarian. He can prescribe your bitch calming preparations or hormones to overcome this phase more easily.
How many puppies a bitch can give birth to on average depends, among other things, on age and breed.
There is a study on this that was published in 2011. The researchers analyzed over 10,000 litters of 224 breeds. They found that the average number of litters is about 5 - 6 puppies.
Small breeds had 3 - 4 puppies, whereas the average for large breeds was around 7 puppies. The record is 24 puppies. A Neopolitan Mastiff named Tia gave birth to the puppies by caesarean section on November 29, 2004.
If your dog is pregnant, she should continue to be walked regularly. This will help her prepare for the arrival of her little one. It's actually nothing more than pregnancy gymnastics for bitches.
However, you should avoid intense training or even obedience training during the walks. Because this can be exhausting or stressful for them.
In addition, the pregnancy phase can be uncomfortable for your bitch. She also gets tired more quickly. Especially in the last period before birth.
Therefore, the walks should be kept rather short, but take place more regularly. Recommended are 3 to 5 short walks a day.
However, if your furry friend has any ailments or illnesses, it is highly recommended that you discuss the walking schedule with your veterinarian.
Beautiful times are waiting for you. With lots of laughter, joy and love.
Another little tip: Put your favorite shoes in the shoe closet right after you get home. Oh yes, you'd better keep the bathroom door closed. Loved ones like to have a little toilet paper party in the apartment.
Rest assured. As soon as you make the necessary arrangements, your worries will no longer be able to take you by surprise. For your part, more than half is already done.
Enjoy this time with your bitch and her offspring. You become a bodily witness and companion of one of the greatest wonders of nature
