My bitch is pregnant

My bitch is pregnant!

So it is done. Your bitch is pregnant and you need information..

How can I be sure if she pregnant or not?
Well, the easiest way is to take her to your Veterinarian for an Ultra sound scan. This is normally very effective about 5 weeks after the mating has occurred. The ultra sound is done very similar to what is done on humans. If you are lucky, your Vet will even give you a copy of the ultra sound picture.

How long is it before the puppies are born?
Bitches normally carry the puppies for 63 days before they are born. However, it can be a couple of days earlier or later.

What are the signs do I look out for when she is about to give birth?
There are a couple of things that you can look for:

Bitches start licking them selves
They circle around and become very agitated
Their temperature normally drops a degree or more about 24 hours before giving birth

Should you take her to the Vet for a check up?
It is always a good idea to ensure your dog is in peak physical condition before giving birth. This helps to ensure that the birth process goes smoother

What about inoculations?
If the bitches inoculations are up to date, some of the immunity will be given to the puppies at birth. Small puppies are very vulnerable and need all the help they can get. It is also a good idea to have your bitch de-wormed before the mating. Worms can also be transferred to the puppies.

How long does it take after the first signs until the first puppies are born?
This can take quite a while, however when the first contractions become obvious it is normally soon after that the first puppies are born.

How long is it until all the puppies are born?
There is no given time here. It might be within an hour or it might take the whole night. The best is just to watch your bitch carefully during the birth process. Many a Rottweiler Breeder has thought that all the puppies were born, just to have a quick surprise and hour or two after the 'last' puppy.

What will you need during the time of the birth?
Wow, once again a whole list of things:

Clean towels
Lots of old Newspapers
Paper and Pencil
A Scale (being able to measure weight from 0 to 1000 grams)
A round ended scissor
Disinfectant (Eg. Dettol or Savlon)
A bucket with luke warm water
A rubbish bin bag (to through all the dirty newspapers)
Warm water bottle
A separate box to keep the puppies in during the birth process
Cutex (nice bright colour)
Dry beds for the whelping box
Whelping box

Should my bitch visit the Veterinarian after the puppies are born?
Yes. It is essential for you to take the bitch for a check up after the birth process. The Veterinarian also normally gives the bitch an injection to help the uterus contract.

Please check for further articles regarding puppies and how to raise them from birth