B-litter blog

Sire:

Inanda Mellberg Athol Aramis By U – “Aramis”

Dam:

Tappinskis Peach And Passion – “Kiwi”

Week 1

During the first week, counted from day 1 to day 7, many milestones take place. Fertilization of the eggs will occur, and the fertilized eggs should implant into the walls of the uterus around Day 7. Fertilized eggs migrate down the oviducts and into the uterine horns. The migration continues to enable even spacing of the embryos. During this migration the eggs will grow into a blastocysts.

Friday 20 December 2013

First day of mating. 

Fertilization

Germ cells, i.e. sperm and egg fuse together and the phases of mitosis begin. During mitosis genetic information from the parents is merged. Fertilization occurs in the oviducts, which lead from the ovaries to the uterus.

96 hours

Divides into two cells

120 hours

Divides into fours cells

144 hours

Divides into eight cells

192 hours

The morula is constituted. The morula is a compact mass of 32 cells. In size the mass has grown little.

Week 2

During the second week, from day 8 to 14, we can expect the dam to continue acting as if she is in heat, but if we are lucky she will already be pregnant! The fertilized eggs will be implanted into the uterine horns and rapidly developing into blastocysts. They will officially be considered embryos around Day 11, and their major organs will be starting to develop. 

Day 9

The morula enters the uterus

Week 3

During the third week, from day 15 to 21, the embryos will still be rapidly growing and developing as the organs of the puppies are forming. We will also being to see changes in the female starting around Day 15, the first day of this week. Her nipples may begin to enlarge and protrude from her belly, and the fur surrounding them will begin to thin. If she is pregnant, she may start to experience morning sickness around Day 20, and show signs of a decreased appetite and some dry heaving or throw up small amounts. 

Day 15

A blastula is constituted. The blastula is a hollow ovule consisting of 500 – 2000 cells. The blastula is not attached and floats freely within the uterus. 

Day 18

The placenta is developed. The placenta provides oxygen and nutrients to the fetus and takes away waste to be excreted by the mother. 

Day 20

The ovule has changed in shape in order to adhere to the wall of the uterus. The nervous system is formed thus organogenesis has begun. Organogenesis is the phase in which all body organs are formed. The nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord are the first organs formed. 

Week 4

By week four, from day 22 to 28, many changes are occurring both in the dam and her pending litter. Morning sickness might occur due to hormonal changes or stretching and distention of the uterus. The female may appear a bit apathetic. She may be off her feed for a while and vomit from time to time. 

At this point, the puppies are roughly the size of a walnut and spread out throughout the uterine horns, so our vet should be able to give us an estimate of the number of puppies to expect.  

Day 23

The individuals ovules have adhered to the walls of the uterus. Swelling occurs at adherence sites. Palpation may be used for the next few days to determine pregnancy, but the method is only 70% of the time. A test for the relaxin hormone can be conducted at this point to determine pregnancy. Ultrasound is more used and can be used from day 21 to day 28. 

Day 28

 The embryo is oval shaped now and measures approx. 1.4 cm to 1.8 cm. 

Week 5

Week five, from day 29 to 35, brings about many changes in the female, and at this point there should be no doubt that she is pregnant. By Day 29, the sex organs and limbs of the puppies are developing, they are growing rapidly, and the uterus is quickly filling with protective amniotic fluid. Because of the amniotic fluid rushing in, the females abdomen should start to be noticeably larger than normal by Day 34, and will only continue to grow! Since her abdomen is rapidly filling with puppies, start increasing her food ration to ensure she is getting adequate nutrition, or consider switching her to puppy food for the duration of the pregnancy and weaning of the puppies. 

Day 30

The eyes are formed and covered by eyelids. Sexual organs are apparent. 

Week 6

The sixth week, from day 36 to 42, doesn’t produce a large amount of physical change in the female, but the puppies are growing an astonishing rate. Since the abdomen is becoming increasingly distended with the pressure of so many babies inside, she may begin to appear noticeably uncomfortable and may even vomit. She will need extra chances to relieve herself outside and a nice comfortable bed to relax in. Around Day 38, she may begin to have clear discharge from her vulva and be rather particular about grooming herself in that area.  At this point, the birth of her puppies are only a few weeks away. We should also be sure to set up her whelping box in a warm, quiet corner of the house and begin rewarding her for spending time in it.  

Day 40

Week 7

By the seventh week, day 43 to 49, you should finally be able to feel the puppies moving, typically by Day 45, and see just how fast the female is putting on weight and girth. The puppies are fully developed little dogs at this point, and their main job is to put on size and weight to prepare for birth. By Day 47, the dam will be wrestles and may begin to search for a place to nest, and may even be leaking colostrum (the “first milk” that is full of antibodies for puppies’ health) from her teats. This is definitely the time to begin rewarding her for lying in her whelping box, but if she shows a preference for a different corner of the house than the one we choose, we will need to move the box so that she will use it for her nest.

Day 45

It’s very easy now to feel the puppies, counting them might be a bit more difficult. Heartbeats are detectible by ultrasound. From this time on the growth of the fetus is accelerated. The mother’s appetite will likely increase. 

Week 8

When the eighth week rolls around, from day 50 to 56, it is time to start keeping a close eye on the female. On Day 50, start gently washing the female’s nipples and vulva several times a day, with a separate washcloth for each area. Since her teats may be leaking slightly and her vulva should have a small amount of discharge, this will help keep her clean and comfortable. We may see her abdomen ripple now and then as the puppies begin to position themselves for birth around Day 54. Her belly is jam-packed at this point, so leave kibble down for her at all times so that she can eat a bite here and there as she has room. 

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.

The skeleton of the fetus is calcified and can be seen by x-ray.

Week 9

The last week, from day 57 to day 64 is here. Day 62 is typically when the puppies will arrive, and we must notify our boss and arrange to have a few days off before and after the birth if at all possible, or let them know when her temperature drops and stay home from that point until the puppies are at least a day old. The female has very strong instincts to care for and protect her puppies, but it is better to be home just in case a puppy becomes stuck or needs extra stimulation to begin breathing.  

Day 57

Day 60 – Day 63

Milky fluid may be expressed from the nipples.

Day 48 – Day 65

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.

Day 58 – Day 64

Starting at Day 58, watch carefully for any signs of labor that may show. These include a loss of appetite, her temperature dropping, signs of anxiety and/or whining, rapidly digging in her nesting box while  appearing uncomfortable, heavy panting (possibly with her eyes squeezed shut), her body tensing as if she is “sucking in her gut”, a clear fluid-filled amniotic sac emerging from the vulva, or repeated straining as if about to defecate without results. She may request to go out repeatedly since the sensation of a puppy settling downward may feel similar to needed to go potty, but do not let her go outside without a leash on and a towel in hand. We don’t want her getting under a bush or under the house to have the babies! If it is dark out, be sure to take a flashlight, and either way, watch carefully while she “goes” to ensure she doesn’t have a puppy outside. We will inform our vet in advance of the estimated birth date and have vet numbers at hand to inform them of when labor starts. If the female strains without producing a puppy for longer than 30 minutes, if she has not given birth by day 65, or if her temperature goes above 39 C or below 36 C, contact the vet immediately for advice.