Congratulations on your pitbull pregnancy! This is an exciting time, and with a little knowledge, you'll be well-prepared to care for your furry friend and her babies.
Pitbulls typically have a gestation period of about 58-68 days, with the average being 63 days.
As your pitbull's pregnancy progresses, you'll want to keep an eye on her weight gain. By the 4th week, she should be gaining about 1 pound per week.
During the 5th week, your pitbull's nipples will begin to darken and become more prominent.
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Confirming Pregnancy
You can confirm your pitbull's pregnancy around day 25 by visiting your vet, who can perform an ultrasound to establish a reliable diagnosis of pregnancy. This will give you some idea of the size of the litter.
A blood test can also be done to determine the level of relaxin, a hormone only created by the placenta, to confirm gestation. Your vet can choose the method that works best for you.
You can see visible signs of pregnancy at around 35 days, but an ultrasound can be done as early as 28 days to estimate the number of embryos in the uterus.
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Pregnancy Duration and Calendar
A dog's pregnancy typically lasts around 63 days, give or take 48 hours, based on ovulation timing. This is the most accurate way to determine a due date.
Dogs are pregnant for an average of nine weeks, which can be broken down into a calendar to track the changes each week.
Pregnancy Duration
The gestation period of a dog lasts 63 days, based on ovulation timing, plus or minus 48 hours.
Ovulation timing with quantitative progesterones is the most accurate way to determine a due date.
You can estimate her due date without progesterone timing by counting 62 to 65 days from the last breeding.
Pregnancy Calendar
Weeks 1-4 are a critical time in your dog's pregnancy, with small changes happening daily. Your dog becomes pregnant in Week 1, and by Week 2, you may notice weight gain. Morning sickness can occur in Week 3, but appetite usually returns to normal after a few days. Visit your vet by Week 4 to confirm pregnancy and ensure your dog's diet is supplemented accordingly.
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During this time, it's essential to provide prenatal vitamins, such as Breeder's Edge Oxy Mate, to support organ, spine, and brain development in the embryos. This is crucial from days 21 to 32 of the pregnancy.
Here's a breakdown of the critical changes to expect during the first four weeks:
- Week 1: Pregnancy confirmed
- Week 2: Weight gain noticed
- Week 3: Morning sickness possible
- Week 4: Visit vet for confirmation and diet adjustments
After Week 4, the embryos are referred to as fetuses, and your dog enters another stage of pregnancy. The gestation period of a dog typically lasts 63 days, but this can vary by a few days depending on factors like litter size.
Pregnancy Stages
Pregnancy stages in pitbulls are a fascinating process. Your pitbull's gestation period lasts about two months, or an average of 63 days.
Most dogs don't gain significant weight or show noticeable changes until the sixth week of pregnancy. This is a crucial time to schedule a vet visit to confirm the pregnancy and prepare for potential complications.
As your pitbull enters the final weeks of pregnancy, their abdomen will start to enlarge, particularly near the uterus. This is a normal part of the pregnancy process, but it's essential to monitor your dog's health closely to ensure a smooth delivery.
Five
As your dog's pregnancy progresses, you'll notice some significant changes in her behavior and physical appearance. During weeks 5-8, your dog may display more affectionate and clingy behavior.
By week 6, your dog's belly will get bigger, and her teats will become a darker pink, requiring more rest and nutrients. This is a normal part of her pregnancy journey.
At around day 45, your dog's appetite will increase due to the rapid growth of the babies, so be sure to increase her calories accordingly. This will help ensure she's getting the nutrients she needs.
During week 7, it's essential to deworm the dam with daily fenbendazole and have her checked out by a vet. Providing a whelping box will also give her a safe space to deliver the litter.
Here's a summary of the key milestones to expect during weeks 5-8:
- Week 5: Increased affectionate behavior
- Week 6: Belly growth, teat darkening, and increased rest and nutrition needs
- Week 7: Deworming, vet check, and whelping box provision
- Week 8: Fully developed fetuses, lactation, and nesting behavior
By week 8, the puppies are fully developed and will start moving into position in the birth canal. Your dog may exhibit anxiety and search for a safe, quiet place to deliver her litter.
Three
Week Three is a crucial time for your dog's pregnancy. Around 25-28 weeks, a veterinarian can feel the growing embryos with their hands and detect heartbeats with an ultrasound.
Your dog's appetite will increase as the litter develops at a remarkable pace. This is a normal sign of the pregnancy progressing.
You may start taking your dog's temperature daily, preferably rectally, as a normal temperature is 100.5-102 degrees Fahrenheit.
Five
In week five of pregnancy, the term for the developing puppies changes from embryos to fetuses.
Your dog's belly will become noticeably larger as the fetuses grow and develop organs, increasing in weight by as much as 75 percent.
You may notice your dog eating smaller meals more often throughout the day.
Pregnancy Care and Preparation
If you suspect your pitbull is pregnant, it's essential to take her to the vet to confirm and prepare for her labor and delivery. This will help prevent life-threatening complications.
Most pitbulls keep their girlish figure until the sixth week of pregnancy, so you might not notice any significant weight gain or changes in her abdomen until then. Her gestation period lasts about two months, or an average of 63 days.
You can continue feeding your pitbull her normal diet until the fifth to sixth week of pregnancy, but after that, you should switch her to high-calorie puppy food with veterinary approval. This will ensure she gets the necessary nutrients for her developing puppies.
Signs of Pet Pregnancy in Vets
If you suspect your dog is pregnant, it's essential to get her checked out by a vet as soon as possible.
Vets can perform a number of tests to diagnose pregnancy in dogs, including physical exams and ultrasounds.
A physical exam can help vets determine if a dog is pregnant by checking for a palpable uterus and feeling for fetal movement.
Ultrasounds use sound waves to create images of the dog's reproductive organs, allowing vets to see the developing fetuses.
In some cases, vets may also perform a blood test to check for pregnancy, although this is less common.
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Pregnancy Care
If you suspect your dog is pregnant, take her to the vet to confirm and prepare for labor and delivery. It's crucial to be aware of potential complications that can arise during this process.
The most critical time for toxins or drug-related defects is days 1 to 32 of gestation, so be cautious about giving your dog anything that might harm her or her puppies during this period.
You can continue to feed your dog her normal diet until she's about five to six weeks pregnant, at which point you'll need to switch to a high-calorie puppy food with veterinary approval.
Your dog's exercise routine can remain the same until the last few weeks of pregnancy, but it's essential to avoid strenuous exercise and keep her away from other dogs during this time.
A pregnant dog typically doesn't gain significant weight or show signs of pregnancy until the sixth week, so don't worry if you don't notice any changes right away.
The gestation period for dogs lasts about two months, or an average of 63 days, so mark your calendars and be prepared for the big day.
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Sources
- pregnant (akc.org)
- Your Dog's Pregnancy Week by Week (baldivisvet.com.au)
- Veterinary Partner: Pregnant Dog Care (veterinarypartner.com)
- How Long are Dogs Pregnant? A Week-By-Week Look at ... (dailypaws.com)
- My First Litter: Dog Pregnancy Stages (revivalanimal.com)
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