Sunday, November 30, 2008

Is My Dog Pregnant

Your dog may not show many obvious symptoms that she is pregnant during the first three weeks that she's become pregnant. Maybe she is more affectionate with you and a little hungrier.

If that doesn't tune you in, perhaps, when her nipples slightly enlarge, you'll get 'it'. When a clear mucus vaginal discharge starts four to five weeks into pregnancy, you'd really have to be inattentive not to notice! Btw, the discharge continues until the dog gives birth.






Read More

How to Tell If a Cat Or Dog is Pregnant

Whenever you are the proud (or not-so-proud) owner of a pregnant cat, it is your task to make certain she stays fit during the pregnancy. That means you need to know how to nurture a pregnant cat, but 1st, you have to be able to say when your cat is pregnant.

Approximately 5 calendar week into the pregnancy, you will find that your cat is starting to gain a lot of weight, particularly in her abdominal area. You might also notice signs of morning sickness in your cat similar to what women go through during human pregnancy. Cats undergo sickness as they adapt to larger uterine organs. Your cat's nipples will also enlarge and fill up with milk.

As well, your cat will begin behaving a little differently than normal. Cats that are pregnant tend to be more loving and calm than at other times. Right before delivery, you should anticipate your cat to require a lot of food, and you'll in all probability be able to see the kittens within the uterus. Yes, this is normal.

Discovering that your cat is pregnant early on in the pregnancy will afford you ample time to prepare for the delivery. As the delivery is getting close, make sure you supply a soft nesting place for your cat during birth and a separate cozy bed for the newborn kittens to rest. Although kitten deliveries are generally messy, your cat will make certain everything is attended to. Your task will be to check the health of Mama Cat and examine the newborns as soon as possible to be sure they were all born healthy. How do things work knowing if your dog is pregnant?

Ascertaining if your dog is pregnant can be hard, but the sooner you can discover a pregnancy, the better you'll be able to treat her. Naturally, if you've been breeding your dog in the hopes of her delivering a litter, you will in all likelihood know just when she conceived. Your veterinary surgeon should be able to determine if she's pregnant inside of three weeks after a breeding attempt.

If you are not planning for your dog to be a mama, you likely will not know she is pregnant until almost six weeks into the pregnancy, as her abdomen will start to enlarge. Still, there are a few early signs, such as diminished eating, appetite loss, an inflamed vulva, vaginal secretions and engorged nipples.

Once you discover a pregnancy, you ought to take your dog to the vet for an exam. The veterinarian will decide if she calls for any unusual prenatal care other than the standard advances to her diet. As the pregnancy comes along, your dog will in all probability sleep longer and eat more food to feed her growing pups. Keeping up a regular exercise routine during the pregnancy is critical to being sure she is fit for the delivery.

The average dog pregnancy lasts eight to nine weeks. As you come near to the last two weeks, you should make a whelping box piled with velvety blankets. Attempt not to leave her unaccompanied during the last days, as she may need assistance in birthing the litter.

Max Young is an information researcher whom presents working information to be used for every day experiences. To get the inside word on preventing and dealing with health, behaviors like aggression and dominance in your cat or dog, click now on the following link.




By Max Young

Read More

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Top 5 Dog Health Problem Symptoms

Protecting your dogs health is the most important thing over anything else. With the proper diagnosis and knowing what to look for will help, you determine some possible reasons for the dog health problems. The top 5 dog health problem symptoms provide knowledge about parvovirus, skin disorders, eye problems, rabies and ear problems. When you see the first signs of a problem, you need to respond appropriately to protect the health of your dog.

Dog Health Problem Symptoms of Parvovirus

Some symptoms of the disease are weight loss, dehydration, vomiting, fever and nasal discharge. If you see any of these signs, you will need immediate medical attention for your dog. Diarrhea is usually the first symptom, which could be from anything, but when other symptoms appear, you will have a better idea of what you are dealing with. A puppy under the age of six months can contract this disease and will ultimately die. Proper vaccination at an early age will protect the puppy from this horrible disease and death.

Dog Health Problem Symptoms of Skin Disorders

Some symptoms of a skin disorder will be scratching, inflammation of the skin, and is some cases a discharge of pus from the area that breaks open due to excessive scratching. This requires medical tests and observation to determine if it results from a parasite, both internally and externally, allergy, bacterial or fungal infections and hereditary. The bottom line is there are two different types of shin diseases, hereditary and acquired.

Dog Health Problem Symptoms of Eye Problems

Red eyes, swollen eyes and weepy eyes are signs of something wrong and should be checked by your veterinarian to determine if is caused by an allergy or a more serious health problem such as conjunctivitis. The problem may also be the result of an injury if the dog plays with other dogs or cats with claws.

Dog Health Problem Symptoms of Ear Problems

Scratching of the ear, discharge, odor and shaking of the head might indicate some type of ear infection. This also might come from a parasite infestation that invades the ear such as an ear mite. Other reasons for symptoms may be trauma, bacterial and allergies, which will result in ear problems as well. Dogs that have ears that hang down covering the ear canal are more prone to ear problems than other dog because no air gets into the ear to dry it up, so it stays moist and invites infection. For more info see http://www.aboutdoghealth.org/doghealthproblems/waukesha-dog-care.html on Waukesha dog care.

Dog Health Problem Symptoms of Rabies

Without proper vaccination, the dog that has an encounter with a rabid animal can contract rabies, which will result in death. Symptoms to watch for are change in behavior, foaming of the mouth, biting and aggressive behavior towards people and other animals. This is probably the most serious dog health problem ever, since it can spread the virus through biting. Immediate containment and medical help is needed at the onset of such symptoms to protect your family and society from the spread of rabies.


By: Wade Robins

Read More

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Pregnant Dog Symptoms - Tell-Tale Signs That Your Pooch is Preggers!

Most owners are very careful to keep their dog contained but if the dog has not been fixed, there is always the possibility of it getting pregnant. This often happens without the owner even knowing about it. Becoming familiar with pregnant dog symptoms is a good idea in order to know about it as early as possible, and so that you don't make the mistake of thinking that it is some other health problem.Early Stages Decreased Appetite - This is sometimes one of the earliest signs that your dog is pregnant. Not all dogs go through this, but the ones that do will eat significantly less during the first few weeks or pregnancy, and make up for it later. Lessened Activity - A pregnant dog will be less energetic as her body shifts attention to gestation. Nipple Growth - A dog's nipples are usually quite small. But a pregnant dog's nipples will grow and breast material will develop beneath them as she readies for milk production. This is one of the biggest indicators.Middle StagesIncreased Appetite - This will be especially pronounced if your dog's appetite decreased during the first three or four weeks. Weight Gain - Your dog will start showing by about the fourth week. The abdomen will appear large, and it will feel firm instead of fat like it usually does.

Late StagesA Definite Increase in Abdomen Size - If your dog is carrying an average-sized litter, her belly will be hard to miss. In smaller breeds, her belly can even drag along the ground near the very end of the pregnancy. Puppy Movement - In the days leading up to the birth, you will be able to see the puppies moving around inside your dog's belly. Milk Production - as the birth draws near, you will be able to visibly see the first of her milk start to leak out from her nipples. Nesting Behavior - the birth is imminent (24 to 48 hours) when your dog starts gathering blankets, newspapers, and toys in the area where she intends to give birth.Rather than depend on your own observations, it is recommended that you consult a veterinarian to determine pregnancy. Once you have a litter of pups in your home, do not just give them away. Make the effort to have them fixed, get them their shots, and start a rudimentary training program. Charge a small fee for their placement. This will ensure that they find a good home with a committed owner.Shane Shaffer continues a decades-long family tradition of cruelty-free animal placement and training.Do you want to see an improvement in your dog's behavior today?


By Shane Shaffer

Read More

How to Take Care of a Dog

Many people especially in the western countries love to have a pet at their home. Many of these pets are treated as a family member rather than an animal. Dogs are most popular among the pets these days. For many reasons dogs have become an integral part of our society.

Dog owners should have good knowledge about what ingredients to use in dog food. Sometimes they unconsciously create health problem for dogs by feeding them unhealthy food. Before feeding different types of food to dogs; owners should check the ingredients of the food. Also they have to remember every dog does not need same kind of food. Some dogs have allergies with specific food. The dog's food can be both vegetarian and non vegetarian. The mixture of proper ingredients is essential in both kind of food.

Dog owners should provide the necessary ingredient in the dog's food for their better growth. Important minerals like zinc help grow calcium. Some essential vitamins like A, B, D, E should be provided in dog's food. Also You have to keep in mind that at different ages dogs need different kind of food. Like an adult dog requires meat, egg while the puppies need milk. Male and female dogs also require different kind of food. Especially during the pregnancy female dogs need to feed properly.

The dog's health must be monitored periodically. There are signs of illness for dogs like excessive vomiting, continuous nasal discharge, passes loose stool for several times or too much barking. Then there is a high possibility that dog's health is not well enough.

Owning a dog put some additional responsibility to us. Proper care is essential for them. Feeding them proper food is one of the basic requirements. Owners need to be more aware and conscious about dog's diet.



By Ashish K Arora

Read More

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Odd Dog Pregnancy Symptoms in India

On my last trip to the south of India I came upon some very interesting dogs. In particular, I saw a pregnant dog who had very peculiar dog pregnancy symptoms.After traveling around large parts of India I have come to one main conclusion - India is a very wonderful and strange place. So many different people and cultures all mixed together in this wonderful country.I have met some very strange people in India, but I was surprised to see that even the dogs in India act very differently from the dogs anywhere else.In a small village near the beaches of Goa, I met her. She looked like an ordinary dog - a mixed breed, probably part Labrador and part Golden Retriever. She was a very nice and calm dog. I spent a few months at this village. When I arrived, the dog was not pregnant but after a few weeks I began to witness some odd behavior from this dog. When I first saw her she gave the impression of a lazy dog who liked to spend must of the day just lying about. After a few weeks I suddenly saw this dog running madly across the village - she ran back and forth 5 times! Then she took a short break and proceeded to run through the village exactly 5 times. This went on for about two days and then stopped.

After a month, the dog was showing regular dog pregnancy symptoms. About two weeks before her delivery, this dog started running again just like she did in the beginning of her pregnancy - 5 times up and down the village. This went on until about 3 days before the delivery. On a hot afternoon the dog finally gave birth to 5 beautiful puppies.And I ask myself - how did she know?!!!I've seen a lot of dog pregnancy symptoms, but this one tops them all.

By aki ami

Read More

Friday, November 21, 2008

Labrador Retrievers - Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy

There are various reasons why dog owners purposely breed their Labrador Retrievers. One reason is that their dog is up to breed standard and they want to produce a litter. Some dog owners want to improve the breed. In some instances unknown to the owner, breeding may also took place despite that dogs are carefully confined when they are in season. No matter what the reasons are, it is important to know the signs if your Lab is in the family way.A female dog can only become pregnant if she is bred during her heat cycle. Canine cycle, referred as estrous cycle has four stages. The first stage is proestrus in which the female dog is attractive to males but not receptive to them. This stage generally lasts six to eleven days. This stage has already ended when the dog becomes receptive to the male and will stand to be bred. The next stage is the estrus, the actual fertile stage in which the female dog is now receptive to male. This stage lasts five to nine days. This stage has ended when the female is not receptive to the male anymore. The third stage is the diestrus, a non-receptive time and the last stage of the estrous cycle is the anestrus in which no ovarian activity took place.Dog pregnancy generally lasts 60-65 days. Early signs of pregnancy in dogs include loss of appetite, sudden decrease in activity, nipple growth and behavioral changes. As the pregnancy progresses, further signs occur. Three to four weeks into the pregnancy, you will notice an increase in appetite and weight gain by one month.

Around five weeks, your dog's nipple will develop and she will begin to look broader. Increase in abdomen size can be seen and uterine swelling around the placental sites that feels like firm and discrete lumps exist. During the last few weeks of pregnancy, puppy movement can be felt and milk production begins.Dog pregnancy can also be detected through x-rays, ultrasound or blood test. Blood test can be done by a veterinarian 30 days after being bred. In some cases, a female dog will display signs of dog pregnancy without actually being pregnant. That is why it is important to visit your veterinarian to confirm the pregnancy and that proper care will be given. Dog owners should always remember that their pregnant Labrador Retrievers need special care to make sure that they are ready when the time comes.

By Richard Cussons

Read More

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Is My Dog Pregnant ll

An un-spayed dog can achieve pregnancy, regardless of age and breed, though it's vital to have a suspected pregnancy confirmed with a veterinarian, as canines are prone to a condition known as false pregnancy, when the female exhibits symptoms and behaviors that closely resemble an actual pregnancy. A full-term canine pregnancy is between 60 and 63 days.BreedingBreeding can occur in one of several ways. Any time sexual intercourse occurs, pregnancy is a possibility. In many cases, the dogs achieve a "tie" during the act of mating, where the male's penis remains inside the female's vagina for a period of approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Many owners mistakenly believe that this "tie" is necessary to achieve pregnancy, but this is simply not the case. A tie maximizes a dog's chances of achieving pregnancy, but it is not required.The timing of the mating incident will also increase or decrease a female's chance of producing a litter, since the female is more likely to become impregnated at certain times in her cycle. Multiple sires can also impregnate a female during one heat cycle, resulting in a litter of puppies with mixed parentage. The Symptoms of PregnancyThe signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary from dog to dog and the very same set of symptoms can also be present in a dog who is experiencing a false pregnancy, so a veterinary examination is the only way to positively confirm pregnancy.

On the outside, many dogs will appear to be pregnant until the final days of gestation. Behavior is often what alerts a dog owner to a possible pregnancy, though a physical examination and other measures, like a sonogram or "Repro Test" are the only definitive methods of confirming that a bitch is expecting a litter. According to Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, the following symptoms are often seen in a pregnant canine:- Increases or Decreases in Appetite- Prominent, Swollen Nipples- Lethargy and Increased Sleeping- Clear Vaginal Discharge- Firmness in the Abdominal Area- "Nesting" Behaviors Like Digging and Rearranging Blankets- Frequent Urination- A Drop in Temperature (typically within 24 hours of delivery)What Happens Next?Pregnancy tests (performed any time after four weeks into the pregnancy), ultrasounds, and a physical examination are the most common methods to verify pregnancy. If pregnancy is confirmed, regular visits to the vet will be required to monitor the health of the mother and her pups. Veterinarians are also a wealth of information and knowledge concerning the birthing process and can therefore instruct owners on how to assist their pet as delivery day approaches. In the event that the pregnancy is posing a serious health risk to the mother, abortions can be performed to terminate the pregnancy. They are not typically performed unless a serious health threat exists, as the process carries its own set of risks and dangers.


By Mia Carter

Read More

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Is My Dog Pregnant

Are you wondering if your dog is pregnant? There are some canine pregnancy signs and symptoms to help you find out. The first thing you should question is if she has been on 'heat.' Dogs reach sexual maturity as early as 6 months or as late as 16 months, depending on the breed and the individual dog. While this means that they are able to get pregnant, professionals advise that a dog should be no less than 18 to 24 months old before being pregnant and giving birth. There are two stages of heat that can be monitored (with varying degrees of success) by outward signs. The first, pro-estrus, is when the dog's ovaries are preparing to release eggs. Her vulva (the external part of her sex organs) might be swollen and you may notice blood or a bloody discharge. During this time, the males will want to mate with her, but she will not tolerate them. She also may lick herself more than usual. This lasts around 9 days, plus or minus 3. Next comes the phase where she is fertile. This phase lasts between 2 and 20 days. Her vulva will be swollen but softer than before and her discharge will change to a lighter color. The biggest difference you might notice is that she will now want to mate with males. This phase is over when she no longer allows a male to mount her. This could mean that she is pregnant or it could mean that this portion of her cycle has passed. Most dogs cycle twice every year.The surest way to know if your dog is pregnant is to visit the vet. At 20-30 days post conception, an experienced vet will be able to feel the dog's abdomen and know if she is pregnant. 25 days after breeding, the vet will be able to detect fetuses with an ultrasound, and 45 days after breeding, the number of pups can be determined by an X-ray. A dog's pregnancy lasts, on average, 63 days. There is lots of room for variation in this, with some birthing as early as 54 days or as late as 74 days.

Symptoms your dog may exhibit if she's pregnant include: A change in affection. Some pregnant dogs will become very clingy and loving, even possessive; others might change from 'normal' to anti-social. Where they may have been friendly before, they could become wary of strangers or even familiar non-family members.A change in appetite. Newly pregnant dogs may lose their appetite for a while. Later on, at around 3 weeks, they may vomit or go off their feed for a few days up to one week. At around 5 weeks, their appetite will increase rapidly. By the time a dog is ready to deliver, she will be require twice as much food as normal. Even when newly pregnant, she may try to 'nest' or adopt a toy, a house cat, or a shoe. Lastly, some dogs, like some people, find pregnancy exhausting and will sleep or rest more than normal. Some dogs will have a 'false' pregnancy, even if they haven't mated. The symptoms are the same up until birth, with a possible exception being that their abdomen doesn't get as round. Only a vet can tell for sure. About 10% of dogs with false pregnancy will need hormone treatment to resolve the situation.If you think your dog has mated and you don't want her to have puppies, there is a 'morning after' shot available. Contact your veterinarian for information. If you think your dog is pregnant, you don't want her to have puppies, and you'd like to have her spayed, it is possible to neuter her even during pregnancy. If you'd like to have your dog neutered but your finances low, contact your local ASPCA, your vet, or look at spayusa.org (800-248-SPAY) or friendsofanimals.org (800-321-PETS). These organizations can sometimes be useful to find a lower cost neutering program. In the case of unplanned pregnancy, please understand that every day, there are 70,000 dogs and cats born in the US. 4 out of 5 of these end up on the street or in a shelter. 55% of those who end up in a shelter are euthanized.


By Sydney Ellis

Read More

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Easy-to-Make Dog Pregnancy Calendars

You have a few options for making your dog pregnancy calendar. You can put the information into a date book or write it on the calendar. You can also make a printout in an easy-to-update calendar-printing program such as the one that is available with Microsoft Works. Either way, knowing this information can make it much easier to understand and plan your dog's pregnancy.0 Days. The calendar starts with the first time the dog is bred with a male dog. This may or may not result in pregnancy. It is a good idea to breed again 48 hours after the first breeding to make sure that the dog gets pregnant. This still isn't a guarantee though. 2-3 Days. Between two and three days after breeding fertilization of the eggs take place. 10-11 Days. The fertilized eggs travel down to the uterus. As they travel they become blastocytes and by day eleven they have begun to implant in the uterus. It could take a few more days depending on the number there are since they work at implanting at even distances within the uterus. 12-20 Days. During this time frame the blastocytes become embryos. They develop all of their major organs and by 20 days they look like miniature puppies.14-15 Days. At this point the dam's nipples get larger and darker. This may or may not be noticeable. 20 Days. By 20 days the fur on the dog's belly becomes thinner. 21 Days. This is the time when most vets will check for a pregnancy. This is fairly accurate, however some vets will struggle if there is only a single puppy because it will be hard to feel. 21-28 Days. Between 21 and 28 days your dog will probably experience morning sickness. This can include decreased appetite, vomiting, and less activity.

28 Days. Many vets will want to make a visit for about this time because often times the number of puppies can be estimated from either feeling around or from an ultrasound. You have a few options for making your dog pregnancy calendar. You can put the information into a date book or write it on the calendar. You can also make a printout in an easy-to-update calendar-printing program such as the one that is available with Microsoft Works. Either way, knowing this information can make it much easier to understand and plan your dog's pregnancy.0 Days. The calendar starts with the first time the dog is bred with a male dog. This may or may not result in pregnancy. It is a good idea to breed again 48 hours after the first breeding to make sure that the dog gets pregnant. This still isn't a guarantee though. 2-3 Days. Between two and three days after breeding fertilization of the eggs take place. 10-11 Days. The fertilized eggs travel down to the uterus. As they travel they become blastocytes and by day eleven they have begun to implant in the uterus. It could take a few more days depending on the number there are since they work at implanting at even distances within the uterus. 12-20 Days. During this time frame the blastocytes become embryos. They develop all of their major organs and by 20 days they look like miniature puppies.14-15 Days. At this point the dam's nipples get larger and darker. This may or may not be noticeable. 20 Days. By 20 days the fur on the dog's belly becomes thinner. 21 Days. This is the time when most vets will check for a pregnancy. This is fairly accurate, however some vets will struggle if there is only a single puppy because it will be hard to feel. 21-28 Days. Between 21 and 28 days your dog will probably experience morning sickness. This can include decreased appetite, vomiting, and less activity. 28 Days. Many vets will want to make a visit for about this time because often times the number of puppies can be estimated from either feeling around or from an ultrasound.


By Aiden of the Tower

Read More

Monday, November 17, 2008

Dog Pregnancy Calendars Personalize How You Track a Pet's Pregnancy

People aren't the only ones who need calendars for tracking their pregnancies and knowing what to expect. Dog breeders and owners may find making a personalized dog pregnancy calendar is the best way to track their dogs' pregnancies. I breed my Chihuahua once or twice annually and I always make a personalized dog pregnancy calendar for my baby Priscilla Rae Quest or Prissy for short. It is import to track a dog pregnancy to know what to expect and so special arrangements can be made about proper food, vitamins and ensuring the dog has extra water.After much research and the years of experience I have in dog breeding, the gestation period for dogs is between 59 and 63 days. My Chihuahua normally has puppies 62 or 63 days after the initial breeding take place. In making my calendar, I start by visiting CalendarsThatWork.com. This Web site offers free downloadable calendars that you can decorate and fill in any way you choose.I choose to download one blank calendar so I can add the months and dates manually to continue through a three month cycle. This way, there is no charge for using the product. I make three copies of the blank calendar and wait for my dog's menstrual cycle to begin. I begin the calendar the day my dog begins her menstrual cycle. This is the day I will put the month at the top and number the days. On the tenth day of her cycle I put a great big smiley face or special sticker. This is the best day for conception to occur. Anywhere between ten and fourteen days after the menstrual cycle begins are optimum conception days for dogs.From the day of the conception, I will number the other two blank calendars by filling in the days and the months. Not counting the day of conception, I count sixty two days and in date box I will write puppies due and draw a line to the sixty third day as well. If all goes well, the puppies will be born on one of those two days. After this information is marked, I go back and fill in the basic what to expect information for my benefit as well as the benefit of my dog, the mommy-to-be.

On the tenth day after the dogs mated, I mark on the dog pregnancy calendar "Blastocytes implant into the uterus walls". Blastocytes grow into embryos that will turn into puppies. Around the fourteenth day after mating I will make a note on the dog pregnancy calendar to expect to notice swelling of the nipples. Since dogs have more than two nipples, swelling should begin occurring around all of her nipples.On the twenty day after mating, I make a note on the calendar to keep an eye on the hair surrounding the nipples of the dog and the belly. This hair will start to become thinner. The reason for this is so the puppies can feed easier.Around the twenty eighth or twenty ninth day, I make a note on the dog pregnancy calendar to expect to notice swelling of the belly. At this time, you should start to notice you dog's belly expanding as the puppies grow. Morning sickness may occur around this time just like it does in women. I also make a note to make sure I offer extra food for my dog along with a daily prenatal vitamin.Between the thirty fifth and forty fifth day on my calendar I will mark double in size and feed small meals several times a day. At this time, I make sure to note I need to offer small meals rather than large meals. The puppies are getting larger and larger. There is not as much room in for large meals to be eaten so smaller meals are often better. The next part of the dog pregnancy calendar is more of a waiting game until the puppies are due. The mommy-to-be will begin searching and digging to find the perfect place to deliver her litter. Prior to delivering the puppies, the rectal temperature of the mommy will change from 101 degrees to 98 degrees. This lets you know to expect puppies within twelve to twenty four hours. I choose to end my dog pregnancy calendar at this point. You can continue the calendar if you like so you know what to expect once the puppies come day by day. I suggest doing this prior to the arrival of the little ones as once they get here you will be really quite busy. Best of luck with your new litter!

By Breidi Caparatta

Read More

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Dog Pregnancy Calendar A Useful Way of Tracking Your Pet's Pregnancy

Expecting puppies in your house is an exciting event. You would like to be prepared for their arrival and would like to do your best to take care of the expecting mother. Preparing a dog pregnancy calendar is a fun and informative way to do so. There is lots of information available online to help with your queries about dog's breeding, dog's pregnancy calendar and care for a pregnant dog. So read a lot to gather the needed information. www.dogbreedinginfo.com, www.pet-comfort-product.com and www.vetmedicine.about.com are some of the useful sites which provide a lot of handy information about handling a dog's pregnancy. But before following any of those suggestions, take advices from your vet.A dog pregnancy calendar can be maintained to write down the expecting delivery dates and other useful information like what should be expected during a certain week of gestation, what is the nutritional requirement of the dam and what other care and preparation should be taken into account.The first step in the dog's pregnancy is getting it mated during the right time or during its heat period. Take a note of the date on which the dogs mated and then you calculate the due date. The gestation period is almost 2 months starting form the conception day. The total length of gestation varies depending on the breed but it is usually 57 to 64 days and the puppies can be delivered anytime after 55 days. So mark the important days in your calendar and watch out for the nesting behavior in the Dam. A weekly canine pregnancy calendar is the most informative tool to keep record of the events. Sometimes dogs show the symptoms of pregnancy even when they are not pregnant. This is called Pseudo pregnancy or false pregnancy.

These false pregnancy symptoms can generally be there for 20 to 22 days. Pregnancy confirmation can be made at the vet's office by 22-25 days. First week of pregnancy calendar: After about 48-72 hours of mating, fertilization occurs. Keep an eye on vaginal infection due to breeding and talk to your vet if you find any. Never give any medication without your vet's suggestion. As for the nutrition keep feeding her with high end foods as usual. The dog can keep exercising as regular.Second week of pregnancy calendar: The fertilized egg becomes a 64 celled blastocyte and descends into the uterus. Nipples of the dam might enlarge and get dark pink in shade. Continue with nutrition and exercise as regular.Third week of pregnancy calendar: The embryo plants in uterus. Symptoms of morning sickness might appear due to hormonal changes. Vomiting and loss of appetite is seen. Watch out if your dog is loosing appetite due to other reasons like eating her poop or being sick and discuss it with your vet.Fourth week of pregnancy: Pregnancy can be confirmed at vet's office. There might be clear and odorless discharge from vagina. Uterus of dam is distended and stretched. So ask your vet to prescribe a drug to relax the dam of her discomfort. You can start the vet recommended multi-vitamin pills but do not give her calcium supplement as it might interfere with the normal working of her parathyroid gland. Give a balanced high end food and try to give small distributed meals to avoid any discomfort. Give one boiled egg and cottage cheese regualrily.Avoid strenuous physical activities.Fifth week of pregnancy calendar: Time to give a maternity haircut to see the swelling belly. The fetus starts resembling the adult. Dam's weight will start to increase. Increase the food ration to meet her needs but avoid overfeeding as excess weight gain can cause complication in pregnancy.Sixth week of pregnancy calendar: Pregnancy is obvious. If your dam has not got a haircut you will find her hairs everywhere in the house. Keep giving the nutritious food. Avoid rough play. Puppies become colorful as they develop color pigments. Belly of the dam is quite swollen by this time. Put the whelping box in a quiet place and encourage the dam to sleep in it or take rest in it.Seventh week of pregnancy calendar: The tummy is swollen and hard and movement of puppies can be seen. Dam looses her appetite. Continue feeding her small meals to keep her healthy. She will be restless and will spend a lot of time grooming her. She will start wandering and sniffing places to seek a nesting place to deliver. Avoid rough play with the dam.Eighth week of pregnancy calendar: Puppies can be delivered at any time. Cut the hairs around the nipples and clean them to make them ready for lactation of the new born. Milk can be squeezed from the nipples. Call your vet for x ray to determine the position and number of puppies. Keep your car fueled and your whelping kit ready as the puppies might rush any time. Keep checking her rectal temperature. When it drops from 101 to 98, the dam is going to deliver in other 12 hours. After delivery watch for whether the dam is taking good care of puppies or not. You might have to give a feeding lesson by grabbing her nipples and gently directing puppy's mouth to it. Firmly ask the dam to remain in one position till the babies feed. So be prepared to welcome those little cute puppies in your house.

By arunima singh

Read More

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Dog Poisoning Symptoms

As a proud dog owner, you owe it to yourself to know the Dog Poisoning Symptoms in case your curious dog explores dangerous territories. But did you know that YOU, the owner of that precious canine, could be slowly poisoning him/her a little every day?Check For Dog Poisoning SymptomsFirst of all, let's identify some of the Dog Poisoning Symptoms. Does your dog suffer from a mouth irritation, skin rash, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, no appetite, excess drooling, staggering, hallucinations, breathing difficulty, bleeding disorders, muscle tremor, sight loss, seizure, heart failure, kidney or liver problems? These are all Dog Poisoning Symptoms.Now we all know that your dog can get poisoned by some chemical products, and if you witness this, then you must react fast! Remove your dog from the poisoning source, identify the poison as quick as possible, and if need be, call the poison control center for more information and direction.Are You Poisoning Yor Dog?But how is it possible that you could be poisoning your dog without knowing it, without your dog even ingesting a visible chemical product? Through extensive research, it has been discovered that dog food contains at least 6 deadly chemicals that have already been banned from human foods.

They could be poisoning your family dog! I know it's hard to believe, but Commercial Dog Food Could Be Killing Your Dog because of the preservatives it contains.Now that you know some of the Dog Poisoning Symptoms, you may want to analyze your dogs behavior a little closer. Don't think just because you're not seeing it on the label, that it isn't there. Because these preservatives are often added at the rendering plant and not by the manufacturer, and the manufacturer is not required to include it on the label, if they did not actually add it to the dog food. Ethoxyquin (EQ) is used to preserve most dry pet food. And EQ is the most powerful of all preservatives...and may be the most toxic. The use of EQ is permitted in pet food.The Dog Poisoning Symptoms found through dog food intake has been revealed through several studies on the topic of Dog Food Investigation. You may become very upset as I did, when reading what the dog food manufactures are allowing us to feed our dog!


By Larry Buhrandt

Read More

Friday, November 14, 2008

Dog Labor Symptoms - What You Need to Know

Well, it's almost time isn't it. You get a sense that her behavior and actions are telling you that after close to three months of being pregnant, it's almost time.During the pregnancy you might have seen her rearranging her most comfortable spot. The spot where she will most likely have her pups. Maybe she took her little stuffed animal toys in there and simulated guarding and nurturing them like she will be doing in a few days or perhaps a few hours when the little ones arrive. It's time now to start looking for dog labor symptoms.Well if you're a dog breeder, you probably have a thermometer for your dog to take your dogs temperature. If you do and you notice a drastic decline in your dogs body temperature, that's the first sign of dog labor symptoms.After that watch her for a while! If she starts vomiting to empty her stomach, that's the second sign of dog labor symptoms. This may happen anywhere between two days and a couple of hours before she starts to go into labor.If you notice signs of erratic behavior, digging up the blankets in her favorite spot, turning everything in her den upside down, looking like she's trying to do everything to make herself comfortable but it just doesn't seem to be working, these are signs of dog labor symptoms.She'll be nice and quit one moment, then the next she's following you around the house consistently, trying to be close to you, maybe sleeping under your bed for long periods of time then staying up half the night pacing around with the feeling she just can't get comfortable.

She's definitely going to stay close to her favorite spot during this period of time, and don't be alarmed if she gets very protective of her den and maybe even a little aggressive of anybody in the house that she's not familiar with.Noticing these signs of dog labor symptoms will allow you to be prepared and ready, and you will also be able to show your dog with compassion and confident actions that you know she's ready and this in turn will give her the comfort she needs to begin.So remember, check her body temperature, if there's a drop in body temperature, keep a close eye on her. If she empties her stomach around this time the labor will start anywhere between a couple of hours and a few days.


By Dale Anthony

Read More

Blogger template 'Fundamental' by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008.

Jump to TOP

Blogger templates by OurBlogTemplates.com