Before allowing the dog to become pregnant, we must consider the different options that ensure that the puppies will be able to live in good families. If we have everything clear, if we assume the responsibilities that come with a pregnancy , childbirth, lactation and the search for a family for the puppies, there is nothing that will stop us. Although from Muy Pets we want to remember that there is a large population of animals that are looking for a home and that families who are going to adopt future dogs could take one of them and we would all help in animal protection.
The first step is to find a male for our dog, we already know that without the essential contribution of the father it is difficult to achieve the goal. The handsome gallant must be a healthy animal, vaccinated, dewormed, young (under 6-8 years old) and of the same breed or similar characteristics (for mongrel animals). It is very important to keep in mind the great difficulty of obtaining adoption for animals without breed because if it is already difficult to find a family for purebred ones … imagine the difficulty for the wonderful “thousand milks”. The shelters are crowded with these animals.
Once the process has started …
After the love affair, between 58 and 70 days will pass until delivery. During this period, our veterinarian will ultrasound check the mother, change her diet, update her on vaccinations and deworming, and try to calm the owners.
Wise Mother Nature controls almost everything: the fetus develops 25% during the first month and 75% during the following month. For this reason, the mother should be fed during the second part of gestation with a special food for pregnant females, the same food that she will eat during lactation and the same that the puppies should eat during their growth. A food that the responsible human must provide without skimping on expenses.
Not only is it possible, it is the most common and highly recommended. The delivery comes without warning … Well, not exactly. The day before there is usually a significant drop in the animal’s body temperature. If we keep a daily control of its temperature we can be on alert. On “D” day, the dog will be more nervous, inattentive or anxious. It will not stand still or hide.
The moment has arrived. We are much more nervous than the dog, it is logical: she knows what to do and we have no idea, hers is pure instinct.
· During pregnancy we will avoid medications without a veterinarian’s prescription, we will peel the area around the genitals and breasts one week before delivery and we will have a wonderful moment: the delivery of our dog at home!
· Before delivery we must have an emergency telephone under control : a simple consultation (or twenty if necessary) will help us overcome moments of doubt.
· We must be mere observers, we will be by her side but without disturbing her.
· Our only task will be to have a “delivery room” prepared in advance, consisting of a small and comfortable space, created with planks that form walls to prevent the puppies from leaving. The dog may decide not to use that suggestive location: let’s not force her, let her do it wherever she wants. The process itself is overwhelming enough to put up with the entire human family telling it where to push … More!
The dog will make efforts to “let go” of the puppies, will break waters, will expel bags and the new living beings! She will break the bags with her teeth, take out and dry her young, and cut the umbilical cords . We will be prisoners of surprise and, some, of the discomfort of seeing all the blood, etc. Although it may seem like an unpleasant procedure, it is totally natural.
· We will only act if the dog does not pay attention to the bags or the puppies. We will break the bags and rub the little ones, all close to the mother, as if asking for her collaboration. Usually he will go to work as soon as we help him out.
· If in spite of everything we are nervous or we do not see ourselves trained, call the vet. If the vet observes a problem in our comments, he will recommend that we go to meet him.
If the bitch has been making efforts for a long time (more than an hour) and does not expel any puppies, if we observe that an animal gets stuck and cannot get out or if we are overwhelmed, let’s go to the clinic, let’s do it without thinking, the lives of children living beings are in our hands.
