Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if a dog is pregnant until it reaches the last 9 weeks of gestation, when the belly increases in size and at that point it is impossible not to notice it. The best way to find out is to take her to the vet, but it's also helpful to learn about the physical and behavioral changes that can occur. The female dog shows some signs when she is pregnant that are very specific during the first phase of pregnancy, in the central one and in the one immediately preceding the birth.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Physical Changes
Step 1. Check the color change of the nipples
One of the first indications that the dog may be pregnant is the color of the nipples, which turn pink. In fact, during pregnancy they appear more colorful, swollen and prominent than normal. These are signs you may notice 2-3 weeks after conception.
Step 2. Be aware of the changes in his body
It usually doesn't change until the second half of pregnancy. Between the fourth and fifth week, the waist thickens and the belly begins to swell.
Step 3. Don't increase her food rations too soon
You have to wait until the last third of your pregnancy to feed her, although many owners tend to feed dogs more too early. The extra calories they take in lead to fat being fixed in the abdomen, which is often mistaken for a sign of pregnancy. A person who is not particularly experienced cannot distinguish between a more swollen belly due to the presence of fetuses and a simply fat one.
Step 4. Check for constant body changes
In the last third of pregnancy (sixth to ninth week), the belly rounds and stretches. The mammary glands begin to grow and obviously become more swollen as they prepare to produce milk.
Step 5. Pay attention and control the movement of the puppies
In the third stage of gestation you can see the dog's hips move as the puppies move in her womb. If you place your palm on the side of your abdomen where you see the ripple, you may feel the movement.
Don't be too disappointed if you can't hear anything. Pups are found deep inside the tummy and each pup floats in a pouch of liquid, so it is not possible to feel the contour well
Part 2 of 4: Behavior Changes
Step 1. Don't expect drastic changes
Each female dog has a very personal reaction to pregnancy. Some may be quieter and get tired sooner, but even a dog that is not well may be quiet, so this is not a true reliable sign of motherhood. Usually each dog behaves mostly as usual until the third and final stage of gestation.
In this final phase, the larger size of the body makes it more difficult for her to move and she may want to sleep more
Step 2. Expect changes in his appetite
Towards the end of pregnancy the uterus grows and becomes larger, taking up more space in her belly. At this point he is no longer able to eat large meals, so he will start to prefer small snacks to eat more often.
Step 3. See when "the nest" begins to prepare
When the date of delivery is close, the expectant mother begins to prepare a place to give birth. He will collect blankets or clothing to put in a secluded place to set up a warm and safe environment suitable for the imminent arrival of his puppies.
Generally the period in which the nest begins to prepare varies from 2-3 weeks up to 2-3 days before the birth
Part 3 of 4: Getting a Professional Diagnosis
Step 1. Get her checked out by a vet
If you think your dog is pregnant, it is worth taking her to the doctor to confirm the suspicion. The vet can use various techniques to make a diagnosis.
Step 2. Physical examination
The vet will examine the dog by paying particular attention and gently touching its belly. With palpation (hand contact on the outside of her belly) she can sometimes feel a puppy's uterus and features inside. However, this method is much more difficult than it sounds, because it's easy to mistake a puppy for feces in the gut, and vice versa.
The best time to hear if you are pregnant is between the 28th and 35th day after conception. Before this time there are not enough changes to be able to evaluate pregnancy through palpation. After this period, puppies can be mistaken for other elements in the body, such as food in the intestines
Step 3. Check your heart rate
Towards the end of pregnancy (week 6 onwards), the vet can sometimes hear the heartbeats of the fetuses by placing a stethoscope on the dog's belly. However, this method is much more difficult than hearing newborns in humans, due to the rustling of the dog's fur and the fact that dogs have round, not flat bellies.
Step 4. Blood test
The standard method of checking for pregnancy is a blood test to detect the presence of a specific hormone called relaxin.
- The hormone is detectable only after 28 days from conception. If the test is performed before this date, it is possible to get false negatives, in which you think that the dog is not pregnant while in reality it is.
- If at any time you find a positive outcome, even before the 28th day, the pregnancy is still certain.
Step 5. Ultrasound
One diagnostic technique that can confirm pregnancy early is an ultrasound. A technician experienced in the use of this equipment can see the puppies through the scanner from about the 16th day onwards.
- If the dog is docile, the examination can be done without the need for sedation.
- You will probably need to shave the hair on her abdomen if she is a particularly hairy breed so that the probe can make good skin contact.
Step 6. Find out if an x-ray is possible
With the widespread use of diagnostic imaging, the need for x-rays in pregnancy has now been reduced. The main purpose for still doing an x-ray during canine pregnancy is to count how many puppies are present in the womb.
It is important to know how many babies are born so that the owner will know for sure when all the puppies have been expelled. So she can be alerted if the birth is interrupted, but there is still a puppy inside
Part 4 of 4: Recognizing the Early Signs of Pregnancy
Step 1. Be patient
Sometimes you may not notice any signs in the first 2-3 weeks (which is the first third of pregnancy). His appetite should remain normal.
Pregnant dogs suffer from morning sickness, just like people, but not earlier than three weeks after conception. It usually lasts a week or two. Also, on day 21, you can check her gums. If she is pregnant, her gums will be white rather than pink. This is because fetuses are developing in her uterus and therefore her body's blood tends to collect in that area; your gums will consequently be white for a couple of days. There is nothing to worry about, but if it continues beyond two days, see your vet
Step 2. Pay attention if you notice any mood changes
Some people sometimes suspect their dog is pregnant because she gets a little quieter than usual, but this is often more anecdotal observation than proven fact. Pregnancy causes changes in hormone levels, affecting each animal differently.
Some dogs may become quieter than usual, others more affectionate and looking for constant cuddles, while still others may retreat and just want to be left alone
Step 3. Check for signs of illness
While an apparent change in mood or behavior may indicate pregnancy, it can also be a sign of being unwell. Therefore, it is important to carefully check for other symptoms that may indicate poor health, such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, or vaginal discharge.
If she has been mated but loses her appetite in the following days or weeks, this is unlikely to be attributable to her pregnancy and should be seen by a veterinarian. This is even more important if you notice vaginal discharge (which is not normal during pregnancy) or if you are constantly vomiting
Advice
Make sure you are gentle on your dog's abdomen, even if you are not sure if she is pregnant. You don't have to take the risk of injuring puppies
Warnings
- A mother who is giving birth and who is not used to being handled and touched may be more likely to bite, so be careful! Keep children and strangers away from his "nest" or puppy area.
- False pregnancy is a common occurrence in dogs. A few weeks after going into heat, she may be showing signs of pregnancy, such as enlarged nipples and an increased appetite, without actually being pregnant. Check with your vet to be absolutely sure your dog is expecting puppies.
