Week 1
- Fertilization occurs.
- 2 cell embryos are in the oviduct.
Week 2
- Embryo will be 4 cell at start of week and 64 cell by end of week.
- Embryo enters the uterus.
- Feeding small amounts of high protein supplements, such as eggs, lean muscle meats (not pork) or liver is a good practice..
Week 3
- Embryos implants along uterus wall.
- During the next two weeks the important organs will develop.
- Her nipples begin to turn pink and enlarge.
- May loose appetite during this week.
- Morning sickness may occur -She may also stretch out a lot due to her movement in her abdomen.
Week 4
- Morning sickness should go away and appetite return.
- One of the early signs of pregnancy is for the dam to ‘adopt’ a toy.
- Development of eyes and spinal cord and faces take shape.
- The fur on the belly and around the nipples thins.
Week 5
- The doctor may be able to detect pregnancy (85% accuracy) by feeling the abdomen. Diagnosis by x-rays is usually possible after 45 days (95% accuracy for determining the number of puppies).
- You may be able to feel the little puppies -they would be the small bumps in the abdomen.
- Development of toes, whisker buds, and claws.
- Eyes now close and gender can be determined.
- The puppies are now considered fully developed miniature dogs.
- She may be showing… She may also gain a little weight particularly if she is going to birth more than 1-2 puppies..
Week 6
- During the last several weeks, your dog’s nutritional needs nearly double. Feed small meals several times a day.
- We recommend feeding puppy food through the end of lactation (nursing)..
- Increase water.
- Enlargement of mammary glands as nipples darken and enlarge.
Week 7
- She may shred papers, blankets or bedding in an attempt at “nest building” in the last weeks.
- During the last 2 weeks, your pet may become irritable and should avoid contact with small children.
- Moderate exercise is the proper approach. Neither forced rest nor strenuous exercise is a good idea. Short periods of gentle play and short walks are good..
- You may feel the puppies now but counting them may be a bit more difficult.
- Definite abdominal enlargement.
- Abdomen hair will start shedding.
Week 8
- Dam begins to spend a lot more time grooming herself.
- Her breasts become swollen as her milk forms.
- Nesting begins as she looks for a place to have her puppies… Make sure you have her box or spot ready..
- The dam may not have as big of an appetite during this period. Her abdomen can be crowded with puppies.
- You can feel the puppies move now.
- See if you can get her used to her whelping box
Week 9
- 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.
- She may express milk from her nipples.
- Watch for her temperature to drop. You may take it rectally if you want but she’s just plain old cool to the touch compared to what she has been the last 8 weeks.
- She may also become restless, seek seclusion and in the last few days, soil the house.
- She will be ‘nesting’ 12-24 hours before the birth
Expected Date of Whelp.
- Expected date of whelp. Average is 62 days but may take place from the 58th to the 68th day.
- Keep watching for that cool to the touch.. if you’re actually taking the temp, it does drop from 101 to 98 degrees.
- Appetite will disappear as whelping approaches.
- May see a clear discharge from the vulva.
- At onset of labor may pace, dig, shiver, pant and/or vomit.