What's Happening?

Several people have asked me what exactly happens during a dog's pregnancy. The following chart demonstrates the changes taking place during each week. For now we wait until we find out whether Claire is indeed pregnant or not.

Pregnancy Calendar for Dogs
Date:	Wed 16 Nov 2011
Sire:	Bango du Pre de Redy
Dam:	Claire - Neigenuveaux's Ermagarde
Breeder:	Judy Descutner
Sat 5 Nov 2011	First day of mating. 48 hours after the first mating Claire was bred again. Subsequent matings occurring over a period of time enhance the chances of fertilaziton taking place. The spermatozoa migrate up through the cervix. (The Trans-Cervical Insemination process deposits the semen into the uterus, eliminating this migration)
Sun 6 Nov 2011	Sperm travel searching for a mature ripened eggs.
Sun 6 Nov 2011 - Sun 6 Nov 2011	Spermatozoa reach the eggs in the oviducts.
Sun 6 Nov 2011 - Mon 7 Nov 2011	Fertilization occurs in the oviducts which lead from the ovaries to the uterus.
Mon 7 Nov 2011 - Wed 9 Nov 2011	Fertilized eggs migrate down the oviducts and into the uterine horns. The migration continue to enable even spacing of the embryos. During this migration the eggs will grow into a blastocysts.
Tue 15 Nov 2011 - Thu 17 Nov 2011	The blastocysts implant in the wall of the uterus.
Tue 15 Nov 2011 - Tue 29 Nov 2011	The blastocysts will grow into an embryos. During the next two weeks the important organs will develop.
Fri 18 Nov 2011 - Fri 25 Nov 2011	Dams nipples begin to pink and enlarge. The fur on the dams belly and around the nipples may become thinner.
Thu 24 Nov 2011 - Thu 1 Dec 2011	Morning sickness might occur due to hormonal changes or stretching and distension of the uterus. Dam may appear a bit apathetic. She may be off her feed for a while and vomit from time to time. Feeding the dam several meals spaced throughout the day might help.
Tue 29 Nov 2011 - Sat 3 Dec 2011	An experienced person (a breeder or a veterinarian) can tell by careful palpation whether the dam is pregnant. Ultrasound can also be done now. It's now the best time to do this because the embryos are walnut-sized now and easy to count.
Fri 2 Dec 2011	Start to increase the dams food ration. Don't overfeed, excessive weight gain should be avoided. The fetuses are now and are fully developed miniature dogs.
Thu 8 Dec 2011	The Dams abdomen starts to get larger.
Sun 18 Dec 2011	It's very easy now to feel the puppies; counting them might be a bit more difficult.
Wed 21 Dec 2011 - Thu 29 Dec 2011	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.
Fri 23 Dec 2011	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.
Fri 23 Dec 2011 - Sat 7 Jan 2012	Nipples and vulva should be gently cleaned with warm water, you might want to trim the hairs surrounding the nipples, to allow easier access for the puppies to suck.
Mon 2 Jan 2012 - Thu 5 Jan 2012	Milky fluid may be expressed from the nipples.
Tue 3 Jan 2012	You might want to start taking the dams rectal temperature each morning and evening.
Fri 6 Jan 2012	Twelve to 24 hours before she is due to deliver, the dams rectal temperature may drop from 101 to 98 degrees. Clear discharge from the vulva might occur.
Sat 7 Jan 2012	Expected date of whelp. Of course this is just an average. Whelping may take place from the 59th to the 65th day. Puppies born before the 58th day will probably be too young to survive.