Period before the mating: Deworm the bitch couple days before the mating. Inoculation should be made no later than 1 month and no earlier than 8 months before the planned mating. Do not expose your female to stress before and during the mating. Her body produces corticoids during stress periods. Corticoids are known to postpone ovulation – therefore the oocytes are not released and cannot be fertilised. Note: All data in this pregnancy calendar are based on presumption that the female is mated during the ovulation.
FRIDAY
16.02.2024
Day 01 Mating
First mating. The bitch has the ovulation (release of oocytes). The mating date is not the same as fertilisation date. The oocyt matures after being released and can be fertilised in 2 days. Sperm also needs to mature for 6-10 hours after mating and are cleaned from biologically active substances present on the surface. After this time the sperm can fertilise oocytes during next 4-6 days. The difference between mating and fertilisation date can thus be between 1-6 days depending on time of ovulation.
SATURDAY
17.02.2024
Day 02
Cleaned sperm travel and look for oocyt that can be fertilised
SUNDAY
18.02.2024
Day 03
Sperm released during the first mating reach the oocytes in oviducts which connect ovaries and uterus.
MONDAY
19.02.2024
Day 04
Fertilisation of oocytes. The female is in the first trimester of her pregnancy and does not require any special attention. It is not necessary to change type or quantity of food. She can have as much activity as she likes. However it is recommended not to expose her to excessive activity during hot days to prevent hyperthermia or dehydration
TUESDAY
20.02.2024
Day 05
Fertilised oocytes developed into zygotes and descend through oviducts into uterine horns.
WEDNSDAY
21.02.2024
Day 06
Fertilised oocytes descend through oviducts into uterine horns.
THURSDAY
22.02.2024
Day 07
Fertilised oocytes descend through oviducts into uterine horns.
FRIDAY
23.02.2024
Day 08
Fertilised oocytes descend through oviducts into uterine horns.
SATURDAY
24.02.2024
Day 09
Fertilised oocytes descend through oviducts into uterine horns.
SUNDAY
25.02.2024
Day 10
Fertilised oocytes descend through oviducts into uterine horns.
MONDAY
26.02.2024
Day 11
Fertilised oocytes descend through oviducts into uterine horns.
TUESDAY
27.02.2024
Day 12
Early embryos get cleared of shells, float in uterine liquid and search suitable spot for nidation. The size of the embryos is about 0.6 mm
WEDNSDAY
28.02.2024
Day 13
Early embryos get cleared of shells, float in uterine liquid and search suitable spot for nidation
THURSDAY
29.02.2024
Day 14
The embryos are getting ready for nidation in the uterine wall.
FRIDAY
01.03.2024
Day 15
Important organs are developing during next two weeks. Be careful of all intervention into female’s organism. It is not recommended to vaccinate in this period as well as deworm and apply parasite treatments. The female is very sensitive to all changes therefore do not change her daily regimen, schedule of walks, type of food, place for rest as well as your behaviour. All necessary interventions should be noted in calendar so that you know if development of any organ could have been affected. The uterine is able to resorb the embryos until day 35.
SATURDAY
02.03.2024
Day 16
Embryos are nidating in the uterine wall. Their size is about 1mm. Her teats are getting bigger and turn pink. Coat on belly and around the teats is getting finer.
SUNDAY
03.03.2024
Day 17
Head, body, spinal cord and central nervous system start to develop in the embryos.
The basis of internal organs start to develop.
MONDAY
04.03.2024
Day 18
Development of the embryos‘ internal organs. Their size is about 2mm.
TUESDAY
05.03.2024
Day 19
Development of the embryos‘ internal organs.
WEDNSDAY
06.03.2024
Day 20
The embryos are nidated in the uterine wall, the development of internal organs continues and neural tube closes. The size of embryos is about 4mm.
THURSDAY
07.03.2024
Day 21
Development of placenta. From now on the pregnancy can be confirmed. Ultrasound does not show embryos yet, only their gestational sacs full of amniotic fluid. The size of embryos is about 5mm and heart starts to develop.
FRIDAY
08.03.2024
Day 22
It is now ideal time for pregnancy confirmation.
Bitch may suffer from morning sickness and loss of appetite. This is due to hormonal changes and tonus in uterus. The bitch may be insensible. Time to time she may be sick. It is advisable to divide her daily amount of food into small portions and add some tasty ingredients to her food. Clear discharge from vulva may appear which is absolutely normal.
SATURDAY
09.03.2024
Day 23
Ideal time for pregnancy confirmation by ultrasound.
Liver, mandible, eyes, ears and nose start to develop, size of embryos is about 1cm.
SUNDAY
10.03.2024
Day 24
Ideal time for pregnancy confirmation by ultrasound.
MONDAY
11.03.2024
Day 25
Ideal time for pregnancy confirmation by ultrasound.
Teeth, vertebra and limbs start to develop; size of embryos is about 1.4 cm.
TUESDAY
12.03.2024
Day 26
Ideal time for pregnancy confirmation by ultrasound.
Experienced person (breeder or vet) may diagnose gravidity by palpation. Now is the best time because the embryos are walnut size and it is easy to count them. The bitch should be restricted from exhausting activities.
WEDNSDAY
13.03.2024
Day 27
Ideal time for pregnancy confirmation by ultrasound and by palpation.
THURSDAY
14.03.2024
Day 28
Ideal time for pregnancy confirmation by ultrasound and by palpation.
Beginning of scull and mandibles ossification. Size of embryos is now about 1.7cm
FRIDAY
15.03.2024
Day 29
Embryos are now developed into miniature dogs.
You may increase the daily amount of food, do not overfeed, exhausting activities may harm the bitch.
SATURDAY
16.03.2024
Day 30
Ossification of mandibles and scull continues, size of embryos is about 2cm.
SUNDAY
17.03.2024
Day 31
Growth of sensorial hair on chin and nose.
MONDAY
18.03.2024
Day 32
The bitch is in the middle of her pregnancy
Embryos are developing into foetuses and weight about 20% of their birth weight.
TUESDAY
19.03.2024
Day 33
Growth or toes, ossification of nose, bones in limbs and ribs.
Size of foetuses is about 2.7cm.
WEDNSDAY
20.03.2024
Day 34
Changes in bitch’s behaviour may be observed. She is more quiet and sensitive. His belly and vulva starts to get bigger.
THURSDAY
21.03.2024
Day 35
Increase of appetite may be observed. It is recommended to switch to food formulated for pregnant bitches (rich in proteins) and increase the amount of food by 10%. The daily amount should be divided into 2-3 portions. Do not overfeed; excess weight may be harmful for the bitch.
FRIDAY
22.03.2024
Day 36
End of slow growth of foetuses. Foetuses are increasing their size, ossification of bones and shoulder blade continues. Hair start to grow and sexual organs differentiate. Other systemic organs finish their development. Size of foetuses is about 3.5cm.
SATURDAY
23.03.2024
Day 37
More intensive growth of foetuses, ossification of bones continues.
SUNDAY
24.03.2024
Day 38
More intensive growth of foetuses, ossification of bones continues.
MONDAY
25.03.2024
Day 39
More intensive growth of foetuses, ossification of bones continues.
TUESDAY
26.03.2024
Day 40
All internal organs of the foetuses are present, ossification of vertebra and toes continues. Eyes are closed. Size of foetuses is about 6.5 cm
WEDNSDAY
27.03.2024
Day 41
Ossification of vertebra and toes continues
THURSDAY
28.03.2024
Day 42
Ossification of vertebra and toes continues
FRIDAY
29.03.2024
Day 43
Ossification of vertebra and toes continues
SATURDAY
30.03.2024
Day 44
The puppies can already be felt in this period but it is very difficult to count them. The uterus takes up about 2/3 of the abdomen. It is recommended to feed the female 3-5 times a day in smaller portions and increase the total food intake by 15-20% compared to amount of food before pregnancy. The mammary gland starts to swell and the hair around nipples sheds. The female should be already restricted from fast and exhausting activities or jumps.
SUNDAY
31.03.2024
Day 45
Ossification of pelvis and hair growth. The size of foetuses is about 9cm.
MONDAY
01.04.2024
Day 46
Ossification of pelvis and hair growth.
TUESDAY
02.04.2024
Day 47
Ossification of pelvis and hair growth.
WEDNSDAY
03.04.2024
Day 48
The bitch starts to grow. She spends most time cleaning herself and taking care of herself, her mammary gland continues to swell. She starts to be restless and with approaching delivery day she seeks nesting place. She may start to dig holes and prepare her shelter.
THURSDAY
04.04.2024
Day 49
It is necessary to get the female used to her whelping box.
FRIDAY
05.04.2024
Day 50
The abdomen is now full of puppies and we can see them moving. The foetuses are now about 75% of the birth size. Their bodies now have fully developed heads and the size of puppies is now about 12cm. The bitch may now lose appetite (but this is not a rule). It is advisable to feed her more often but in smaller portions. The daily amount should now be increased by 25-50%.
SATURDAY
06.04.2024
Day 51
Few drops of milk may be released sporadically. We should now clean her nipples with lukewarm water.
SUNDAY
07.04.2024
Day 52
The bitch is noticeable growing. She spends most time taking care of herself.
MONDAY
08.04.2024
Day 53
The bitch is resting and getting ready for delivery.
TUESDAY
09.04.2024
Day 54
The bitch is resting and getting ready for delivery.
WEDNSDAY
10.04.2024
Day 55
The teeth in foetuses now calcify; the puppies are now 14-15 cm big The bitch is resting and getting ready for delivery.
THURSDAY
11.04.2024
Day 56
The teeth in foetuses now calcify,
The bitch is resting and getting ready for delivery.
FRIDAY
12.04.2024
Day 57
The bitch is resting and getting ready for delivery.
SATURDAY
13.04.2024
Day 58
The bitch is resting and getting ready for delivery, few drops may be released from nipples when gently pressed.
SUNDAY
14.04.2024
Day 59
It is now time to be ready for delivery. The bitch may give birth any time now. It is advisable to measure rectal temperature every morning and evening and take notes. (See day 63)
MONDAY
15.04.2024
Day 60
The foetuses grow hair on nose, extremities and belly. The size of puppies is now about 16 cm
TUESDAY
16.04.2024
Day 61
The foetuses grow hair on nose, extremities and belly.
WEDNSDAY
17.04.2024
Day 62
The foetuses grow hair on nose, extremities and belly.
THURSDAY
18.04.2024
Day 63
Shortly before delivery (12-24 hours) the bitch will refuse to eat and her rectal temperature drops from 38-39°C to 36,5-37,5°C. (i.e. by 1-2°C). The amniotic liquid may leak (straw-coloured thick liquid resembling urine). Adrenal hormones in the foetuses cause release of estrogens in placenta and this results in increased levels of uterine tissue hormones. These terminate the activity of corpus luteum (which maintain the gravidity) and relax the cervix.
FRIDAY
19.04.2024
Day 64 Whelping
Expected delivery day (approximate date, the delivery may start between day 59 to 67) Previous hormonal changes lead to uterine contractions and abdominal contractions and the foetuses are released. The course of delivery may differ in bitches. The foetus ready for delivery has hair grown on entire body, closed eyes and ears and the ossification of hocks and ankles is not finished. The size of the puppies is 16-22 cm (in medium to large size dogs)
SATURDAY
20.04.2024
Newly born puppy cleaned from afterbirth, cleaned and dry. The birth weight is between 300 to 600g. (in medium to large size dogs)
Pregnancy kalendar was made in 2005-2007 and 2015 years. It is work and exclusive property of Monika and Richard Tusan. All rights reserved! 338966 reads
