Stages of pregnancy in dogs

 

If you have downloaded the Furrypeeps App (www.furrypeeps.com), you can use the pregnancy calculator to calculate your dams due date.  

First select the date of the first mating using the date picker and press select. 

Your dam's due date will be roughly 63 days after her first mating.  

Select the pregnancy timeline button to find out the development progress of the puppies.

The pre-attachment stage (calculate using first mating date and adding 5 days)

 (Fertilization + 96 - 192 hours)

Ovulation is considered day 0. Ovulation is when the female releases an egg from the ovaries, ready for fertilisation following mating. Fertilisation of the egg can occur 2-3 days after ovulation, depending on how long the male's sperm takes to reach the egg. After 96 hours the ovum has divided into two cells, after 120 hours, four cells and after 192 hours a mass of cells exists known as a morula.

 (Fertilization + 8-9 days) (calculate using first mating date and adding 16 days)

The fertilised eggs, known as the morula pass down the uterine tube and then into the uterus.

(Fertilization + 17-21 days) (calculate using first mating date and adding 23 days)

By week 3, the placentas begin to develop from the yolk sacs of the ovum. The embryos, less than half an inch in diameter begin to attach to the wall of the uterus.

 (Fertilization + 21-28 days) (calculate using first mating date and adding 30 days)

At day 21 the central nervous system is formed. By day 28 it is possible for your vet to confirm pregnancy. The foetuses can be seen through ultrasound and also felt through palpation. The foetuses are now a couple of centimetres long and the spinal cord, eyes and other facial features begin to take shape.

(Fertilization + 29-35 days) (calculate using first mating date and adding 37 days)

Amniotic fluid will build to protect the pups from around day 32, so you will notice an increase in the bitch's size and weight. You may also notice an increase in her appetite and should start offering her more food as needed.

By Day 35 the embryos can now be considered foetuses as the organs begin to develop and their shape becomes more obvious. It is at this point the sexes of the foetuses are determined as their sex organs develop. The puppies eyelids close. Those puppies which are born with no eyes at all under the closed lids had some mishap at this time.

(Fertilization + 35-44 days) (calculate using first mating date and adding 44 days)

The foetuses continue to develop. Their claws will develop by around day 40. By the end of week six, the coat will begin to develop with each pup's distinct markings. Mammary glands develop and 'point'.

You should consider setting up a comfortable whelping box in a quiet place, and encourage the bitch to being sleeping there.

(Fertilization + 45-55 days) (calculate using first mating date and adding 51 days)

The neonatal pups are now almost fully formed and begin to rapidly develop in size. The mother's appetite will be very large at this point. Preparations for the whelping box should now be completed.

Day 50 and the skeletons will have developed, meaning the number of pups can now be determined by x-ray. The mother will likely be expressing milk at this point ready for her pups. The pups are now crowded in the uterus and birth could happen at any point! The female may start digging, a natural nesting behaviour, in the whelping box.

(Week 9 - Fertilization + 57 days Whelping) (calculate using first mating date and adding 63 days)

The female is ready for whelping and will likely be quiet in preparation of labour. Rectal temperature can be taken a few times daily to help indicate when labour will begin. A decrease in temperature indicates that whelping will begin soon.

Day 63 marks the average length of gestation in the dog and is likely to be the day the pups are born