Our last column dealt with the final episode of mating – the ‘tie.’ We will take for granted that, as a result of the copulation, fertilization of the female’s eggs by the stud’s sperm has been effected. The bitch is now pregnant.
Q.: How long does the pregnancy last?
A.: An easy to remember figure is two months which, is for our purpose, sixty days (not eight weeks which would equal 56 days). But even as I write “60 days”, let me hasten to add, as I have had before, that in biological maters, unlike mathematics, nothing is exact. Therefore, no hard and fast rule (so much for the infallibility or creation). In mathematics two and two is always equal to four (except when its 22). In pregnancy terms, the length of gestation (the period between conception and birth) could be anywhere between 58 and 66 days. Usually, most dogs would give birth around the 63rd day after conception.
If birthing takes a bit longer, don’t panic – especially if she is not showing any obvious sign of wanting to go into labour. (We shall discuss signs of labour later). On the other hand, any puppy born before the 57th day of pregnancy must be considered ‘premature’, and they will almost surely die, unless intense efforts are made to keep them alive. I have a handout entitled “Care for weak and abandoned puppies”. It is available on request.
Q.: Do pregnant bitches have morning sickness?
A.: The answer to that question is ‘yes’. And it happens more often that you would think, for a few days around the third to fourth week of pregnancy. Usually, we don’t see any overt expression of these ‘bad feelings’. But sometimes ‘morning sickness’ occurs with such intensity that we cannot help but notice the bitch’s discomfort. She will go off her food for three to four days: she shows lethargy-not wanting to frolic or come when called.
On rarer occasions, the pregnant bitch will actually vomit. These reactions to the pregnancy result from hormonal changes that are taking place in the animal.
Q.: Should the caregiver anything about the “morning sickness” malady?
A.: Be supportive (loving and understanding). Your ‘support’ may take the form of petting her – using soothing and encouraging words. That will calm you, not so much the dog. In practical terms, however, I always suggest offering meals three or four times a day, instead of one huge meal which will distend the stomach and increase the abdominal pressure.
Also, some textbooks advise on administering some Vitamins B and C. The Vitamin C, I can easily understand. After all, being an acid, it ‘thins’ the blood and allows for easier passage of the blood through the capillaries. Vitamin C, as double Noble Laurate Linus Pauling advocates, is the world’s best cure-all.
The B-Vitamins are metabolic stimulants which could tend to stimulate the pregnant bitch and eliminate listlessness. They also tend to improve the new mother’s appetite. Well, I just don’t know if we should be trying to energize her. Perhaps her apathy is a defence and compensatory mechanism – a response to the particular period of pregnancy. My advice, therefore, is to just leave her alone during those few off days. Of course, if the retching is too much and she is looking really ill, then your veterinarian could administer medication to relax her and reduce the vomiting attacks and improve her appetite.
Next week we’ll have a look at the specific care needed during your dog’s pregnancy.
Enjoy your week!
