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How can you tell if your dog is pregnant? How long will...

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Answer by Tanisha
Submitted on 2/1/2004
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OK Since I don't know how to answer all these questions I'll just answer the basics. If a female goes into heat her teats will enlarge and her vulva will enlarge too. People often mistake this for pregnancy. A Dog has to be in heat to be pregnant. If they breed assume that they are pregnant. They are pregnant for 58-66 days(9 weeks). The earliest you can tell they are pregnant is 3-4 weeks when you can go to the vet and get a dog pregnancy test that costs $20-$30 dollars.(repro check) Small breed dogs will start getting big around 5 weeks along. Bigger dogs may wait to show much until the last 2 weeks. Other signs of pregnancy are more interest in food and water, and possible increase in urinating due to enlarged uterus that squishes the bladder. They may begin to get lazier and lay around more. You need to be able to tell when they're ready for labor and know what to expect so during laor so you can be there and call the vet if something goes wrong. This is important because sometimes the complications can cost you the lives of the dogs. Other signs she is almost in labor are no interest in the most tempting food, restlessness, and "nest making." A good preparation website is http://www.hilltopanimalhospital.com/reproduction.htm Also be ready and read up on the many responsibility of taking care of pups. There is whelping, weaning, feeding, vaccinations, etc. You won't regret being prepared!!!! Good luck you all!

Answer by shibby
Submitted on 2/22/2004
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I'd just like to say that if your dog is pregnant, about the 58th day you need to pay close attention to her! Make sure once she has the puppies that they get her milk within 24 hours of birth, since she has special milk that strengthens their ammune system!!! If she is pregnant than within a few days of the birth she will have fluid coming out of her nipples. Check to see if she is NESTING by diging and making a comfortable place. If you find that she is pregnant give her a box within the first few day of birth so she can NEST in it, BUT DO NOT MAKE IT TO HIGH! It should be about 8 inches high or if you give them rags make sure to wash them frequently!!! There are a few stages in birth and you need to know WHEN and HOW to help your pet, so search online for different sites so you are well informed!!! Type in preparing for puppies or something simular to that, they have many tips!

Answer by shibby
Submitted on 2/22/2004
Rating:	Rate this answer:
I'd just like to say that if your dog is pregnant, about the 58th day you need to pay close attention to her! Make sure once she has the puppies that they get her milk within 24 hours of birth, since she has special milk that strengthens their ammune system!!! If she is pregnant than within a few days of the birth she will have fluid coming out of her nipples. Check to see if she is NESTING by diging and making a comfortable place. If you find that she is pregnant give her a boox within the first few day of birth so she can NEST in it, BUT DO NOT MAKE IT TO HIGH! It should be about8 inches high or if you give them reags make sure to wash them frequently!!! There are a few stages in birth and you need to know when and how to help out you pet, so search online for different sites so you are well informed!!! Type in preparing for puppies or something simular to that, they have many tips!

Answer by Tanisha
Submitted on 2/22/2004
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She could be pregnant if she is getting fatter around 6 weeks. My dog bled some about that far along too but then it turned out to be a false pregnancy. I don't know what the diarreah means but it could be that she is not getting enough nutrition. Make sure she is getting fed 25% more each week of pregnancy from now on and that it is puppy food. She should be fed puppy food throughout pregnancy and nursing. It would be very helpful to you to go to the vet and get a dog pregnancy test because if she is not pregnant you don't want to overfeed her. She should get steadily fatter and if she is having pups expect them within 3 weeks. Read up all you can on whelping, know what to expect during that time, and know how to respond in case of an emergency. Failure to do so often results in the death of the mom and pups. For info on whelping go to: http://www.hilltopanimalhospital.com/reproduction.com Good luck!